Illustration of orrery
plural orreries
: an apparatus showing the relative positions and motions of bodies in the solar system by balls moved by a clockwork
Examples of orrery in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Few things are as captivating as an orrery.
—
Jay Bennett and Jennifer Leman, Popular Mechanics, 19 Jan. 2021
And like a globe, an orrery also serves a practical function.
—Jay Bennett and Jennifer Leman, Popular Mechanics, 19 Jan. 2021
Christina suggests Hiram’s hidden pages are connected to his orrery — or solar system model — which was secreted away in his home.
—Ariana Romero, refinery29.com, 8 Sep. 2020
Hippolyta finds in the orrery, which send her to the observatory (the numbers are 39.805499 and -95.159492).
—Ariana Romero, refinery29.com, 28 Sep. 2020
Jay Bennett and Jennifer Leman, Popular Mechanics, 19 Jan. 2021
And like a globe, an orrery also serves a practical function.
—Jay Bennett and Jennifer Leman, Popular Mechanics, 19 Jan. 2021
Christina suggests Hiram’s hidden pages are connected to his orrery — or solar system model — which was secreted away in his home.
—Ariana Romero, refinery29.com, 8 Sep. 2020
Hippolyta finds in the orrery, which send her to the observatory (the numbers are 39.805499 and -95.159492).
—Ariana Romero, refinery29.com, 28 Sep. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'orrery.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Charles Boyle †1731 4th Earl of Orrery
First Known Use
1713, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near orrery
Cite this Entry
“Orrery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orrery. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on orrery
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about orrery
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