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orbit
[ awr-bit ]
noun
- the curved path, usually elliptical, taken by a planet, satellite, spaceship, etc., around a celestial body, as the sun.
- the usual course of one's life or range of one's activities.
- the sphere of power or influence, as of a nation or person:
a small nation in the Russian orbit.
- Physics. (in the Bohr model ) the path traced by an electron revolving around the nucleus of an atom.
- an orb or sphere.
- Anatomy.
- the bony cavity of the skull that contains the eye; eye socket.
- the eye.
- Zoology. the part surrounding the eye of a bird or insect.
verb (used with object)
- to move or travel around in an orbital or elliptical path:
The earth orbits the sun once every 365.25 days.
- to send into orbit, as a satellite.
verb (used without object)
- to go or travel in an orbit.
orbit
/ ˈɔːbɪt /
noun
- astronomy the curved path, usually elliptical, followed by a planet, satellite, comet, etc, in its motion around another celestial body under the influence of gravitation
- a range or field of action or influence; sphere
he is out of my orbit
- anatomy the bony cavity containing the eyeball Nontechnical nameeye socket
- zoology
- the skin surrounding the eye of a bird
- the hollow in which lies the eye or eyestalk of an insect or other arthropod
- physics the path of an electron in its motion around the nucleus of an atom
verb
- to move around (a body) in a curved path, usually circular or elliptical
- tr to send (a satellite, spacecraft, etc) into orbit
- intr to move in or as if in an orbit
orbit
/ ôr′bĭt /
Noun
- The path followed by a celestial body or artificial satellite as it revolves around another body due to the force of gravity. Orbits are nearly elliptical or circular in shape and are very closely approximated by Kepler's laws of planetary motion.
- One complete revolution of such a body.
- See Note at solar system
- A stable quantum state of an electron (or other particle) in motion around an atomic nucleus.
- See more at orbital
- Either of two bony hollows in the skull containing the eye and its associated structures.
Verb
- To move in an orbit around another body.
- To put into an orbit, as a satellite is put into orbit around the Earth.
Notes
Other Words From
- or·bit·ar·y adjective
- non·or·bit·ing adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of orbit1
Word History and Origins
Origin of orbit1
Idioms and Phrases
see in orbit .Example Sentences
A number of investigations have centred on Adams and those in his orbit - leading to subpoenas, law enforcement raids and a flurry of resignations of top officials who help lead New York City.
The project has been in his orbit for years — he wrote it before “Moonlight” was released.
In December, the satellite will be put into orbit around the Earth.
This is because the Moon is tidally locked to Earth, and takes the same amount of time to orbit our planet - about 27 days - meaning the same side always faces us.
The lawsuits filed by Ray’s team document the credulousness of those drawn into Bankman-Fried’s orbit.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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