orbit

noun or·bit \ ˈȯr-bət \

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: orbit in a Sentence

Definition of orbit

: the bony socket of the eye

The orbit encloses and protects the eye and its appendages.

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orbital

play \ˈȯr-bə-tᵊl\ adjective

Origin and Etymology of orbit

Middle English orbite, orbita, borrowed from Medieval Latin orbita (probably as translation of Greek trochiá), going back to Latin, "track, rut, path of a heavenly body" — more at ²orbit

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First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

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Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

orbit

noun

Definition of orbit

1 a : a path described by one body in its revolution about another (as by the earth about the sun or by an electron about an atomic nucleus); also : one complete revolution of a body describing such a path

b : a circular path

2 : a range or sphere of activity or influence

within the president's orbit

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orbital

adjective

Origin and Etymology of orbit

borrowed from Latin orbita "track, rut, path of a heavenly body," probably derivative of an adjective stem *orbi-t- "wheel-like," derivative of orbis "disk, circle, wheel" — more at ¹orb

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1696

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Synonym Discussion of orbit

range, gamut, compass, sweep, scope, orbit mean the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control). range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities.

- the entire range of human experience

gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another.

- a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity.

- your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity.

- the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity

scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible.

- as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation.

- within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change

Other Astronomy Terms

gibbous, nadir, nebulous, penumbra, retrograde, sidereal, syzygy, wane, wax, zenith

orbit

verb

Definition of orbit

transitive verb

1 : to revolve in an orbit around : circle

2 : to send up and make revolve in an orbit

orbit a satellite

intransitive verb

: to travel in circles

See orbit defined for English-language learners

Examples of orbit in a Sentence

The Moon orbits the Earth.
The satellites orbit at different heights.
The Moon orbits around the Earth.

Origin and Etymology of orbit

derivative of ²orbit

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1943

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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orbit Synonyms

Synonyms

circle, circuit, circumnavigate, circumvent, compass, encircle, girdle, girth, ring, round;

ORBIT Defined for English Language Learners

orbit

verb

Definition of orbit for English Language Learners

: to travel around (something, such as a planet or moon) in a curved path : to make an orbit around (something)

ORBIT Defined for Kids

orbit

noun or·bit \ ˈȯr-bət \

Definition of orbit for Students

: the path taken by one body circling around another body

The earth makes an orbit around the sun.

orbit

verb

Definition of orbit for Students

orbited; orbiting

1 : to move in an orbit around : circle

The moon orbits the earth.

2 : to send up so as to move in an orbit

The weather bureau will orbit a new satellite.

Medical Dictionary

orbit

noun or·bit \ ˈȯr-bət \

medical Definition of orbit

: the bony cavity perforated for the passage of nerves and blood vessels that occupies the lateral front of the skull immediately beneath the frontal bone on each side and encloses and protects the eye and its appendages — called also eye socket, orbital cavity

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