suborbital

adjective

sub·​or·​bit·​al ˌsəb-ˈȯr-bə-tᵊl 

1

: situated beneath the eye or the orbit of the eye

2

: being or involving less than one orbit (as of the earth or moon)

also : intended for suborbital flight

Examples of suborbital in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The suborbital flight will provide approximately four minutes of microgravity conditions, allowing the crew to experience weightlessness and observe Earth from over 62 miles (100 kilometers) above the surface, leading to a cognitive shift known as the overview effect. —Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2025

Bezos has sunk billions into the company, which had previously only launched its suborbital New Shepard rockets from its West Texas launch site. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2025

Until now, Andøya Spaceport has been used for launches of suborbital sounding rockets. —Ars Technica, 23 Mar. 2025

Technological advances in suborbital and direct-to-space travel could slash long-distance travel times to the extent that intercontinental travel would be under one hour. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for suborbital

• infraorbital
• postorbital
• interorbital
• periorbital
• supraorbital
• orbital

Medical Definition

suborbital

adjective

sub·​or·​bit·​al ˌsəb-ˈȯr-bət-ᵊl 

: situated or occurring beneath the eye or the orbit of the eye

suborbital fat