orbital

[ awr-bi-tl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to an orbit.

noun

1. Physics, Chemistry.
   1. a wave function describing the state of a single electron in an atom atomic orbital or in a molecule molecular orbital.
   2. the electron in that state.

orbital

/ ˈɔːbɪtəl /

adjective

1. of or denoting an orbit
2. (of a motorway or major road circuit) circling a large city

noun

1. a region surrounding an atomic nucleus in which the probability distribution of the electrons is given by a wave function
2. an orbital road

Derived Forms

• ˈorbitally, adverb

Other Words From

• inter·orbi·tal adjective
• inter·orbi·tal·ly adverb
• pre·orbit·al adjective
• super·orbit·al adjective
• trans·orbi·tal adjective
• un·orbi·tal adjective
• un·orbi·tal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of orbital¹

1535–45; < New Latin, Medieval Latin orbitālis; orbit, -al ¹

Example Sentences

Astronomical observations of distant stars tell us that many have planets orbiting them, and that some are of a size and density and orbital distance such that temperatures suitable for life are theoretically possible.

From Singularity Hub 

Scientists can search for exoplanets only within a limited range of orbital distances.

From Nautilus

Eventually, the goal for Musk is to have Starship making regular and frequent flights — for point-to-point flight on Earth, for orbital missions closer to home and for long-distance runs to the moon and Mars.

From TechCrunch

There’s protection from micrometeorites based on a similar design for the current orbital EMUs.

From MIT Technology Review

Such conjunctions recur every two decades owing to their orbital periods.

From Fortune

These companies include SpaceX, Orbital Sciences, Sierra Nevada Space Systems, and more.

From The Daily Beast

Though it would mow your lawn at International Space Station orbital speed—17,000 mph.

From The Daily Beast

What is basically being attempted is a ballistic, sub-orbital flight, like a ride atop a short-range missile.

From The Daily Beast

Now, Orbital Comics Gallery is seeking to address the issue through an exhibit titled 'Image Duplicator.'

From The Daily Beast

When it was over, Keith had been stabbed in the shoulder, and Brandon had a fractured eye socket and orbital wall.

From The Daily Beast

But, because of it's great mass, our orbital velocity is something terrific!

From Project Gutenberg

Our orbital velocity is seven hundred thousand kilometers per second!

From Project Gutenberg

At the orbital velocity of the ship, focussing on the star was indeed a difficult thing to do.

From Project Gutenberg

The rotations of the planets and the sun are in the same direction as the orbital motions and nearly in the same plane.

From Project Gutenberg

Is there any connection between their orbital distances, or between their orbits and the times of describing them?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• annual
• intermittent
• monthly
• occasional
• recurrent
• recurring
• regular
• repeated
• routine
• seasonal
• sporadic
• weekly
• yearly