orb

noun \ ˈȯrb \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of orb

1 : any of the concentric spheres in old astronomy surrounding the earth and carrying the celestial bodies in their revolutions

2 archaic : something circular : circle, orbit

3 : a spherical body; especially : a spherical celestial object

4 : eye

5 : a sphere surmounted by a cross symbolizing kingly power and justice

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See orb defined for kids

Examples of orb in a Sentence

The moon was a silvery orb.
out of the countless celestial orbs twirling in space, the planet Earth remains the only one we can call home, so perhaps we should take care of it

Recent Examples of orb from the Web

Season Two begins sometime after the bizarre cliffhanger that ended Season One, when protagonist David (Dan Stevens) was abducted and apparently imprisoned in a softball-sized floating orb.

— scott meslow, GQ, "Legion Season 2 Review: A Trip You Need to Take," 3 Apr. 2018
All the while, the Parker probe will collect a constellation of data to help answer scientists’ burning questions—and solve some sizzling mysteries—about the orb of hot plasma that lights up our Solar System.

— beth mole, Ars Technica, "This spacecraft will get closer to the Sun than any before it—without melting," 29 Mar. 2018
But yet many puzzles remain about this fiery orb and its critical effects in our planetary neighborhood.

— julissa treviño, Smithsonian, "Get a “Hot Ticket” to Send Your Name to the Sun," 9 Mar. 2018
Gone is the combo meter, the showers of colorful orbs upon defeating enemies, and the quick-time events.

— chaim gartenberg, The Verge, "God of War’s first two hours show a more mature game," 19 Mar. 2018
Each orb is an homage to Sulkowicz’s relationship with a close friend or family member.

— jane drinkard, The Cut, "‘Carry That Weight’ Artist Emma Sulkowicz Has a New Art Show," 11 Mar. 2018
For more info: PASSAGE: TBD SCIENCE: Bubbles There is something magical about soap bubbles - floating, fleeting, iridescent orbs that defy gravity, and whose beauty masks their complexity.

— CBS News, "This week on "Sunday Morning" (Jan. 28)," 26 Jan. 2018
At other times, enormous orbs materialize, concealing giant keys like the ones being sought in the treasure hunt that forms the backbone of RPO.

— peter rubin, WIRED, "You Can’t See Ready Player One Yet, But With VR You Can Dance in It," 13 Mar. 2018
Abby’s skull, a vulnerable, bloody orb, looked like the head of a newborn.

— jane mayer, The New Yorker, "The Story of a Trans Woman’s Face," 12 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'orb.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of orb

Middle English, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French orbe, borrowed from Latin orbis "disk, circle, sphere, orbit," perhaps a derivative of an Indo-European verbal base *h₃erbh- "turn, be turned over, undergo transfer," whence also Tocharian B yerpe "disk," Hittite harp- "change sides, change allegiance"

Note: See also etymology at ¹orphan.

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

orb Synonyms

orb

verb

Definition of orb

transitive verb

1 : to form into a disk or circle

2 archaic : encircle, surround, enclose

intransitive verb

archaic : to move in an orbit

Origin and Etymology of orb

derivative of ¹orb

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1600

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

ORB Defined for English Language Learners

orb

noun

Definition of orb for English Language Learners

: something (such as a planet, the sun, or the moon) that is shaped like a ball
: a gold ball with a cross on top that is carried by a king or queen on formal occasions as a symbol of power and justice