suborbital

adjective

sub·​or·​bit·​al ˌsəb-ˈȯr-bə-tᵊl How to pronounce suborbital (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Starship craft will ignite its own engines, continuing on a suborbital trajectory. Jackie Wattles, CNN, 3 Mar. 2025 Named after astronaut Alan Shepard, the first American in space, New Shepard is Blue Origin’s fully reusable,suborbital rocket system. Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025 In a post-launch press conference on Monday, Bowe drew parallels between the suborbital trajectory of her Blue Origin mission to that of the first American in space, Alan Shepard, for whom Blue Origin's New Shepard vehicle is named. Josh Dinner, Space.com, 15 Apr. 2025 Blue Origin launched its New Shepard suborbital rocket system into space on April 14th carrying a famous group of passengers into space. Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for suborbital

Word History

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of suborbital was in 1803

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Suborbital.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suborbital. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Medical Definition

suborbital

adjective
sub·​or·​bit·​al ˌsəb-ˈȯr-bət-ᵊl How to pronounce suborbital (audio)
: situated or occurring beneath the eye or the orbit of the eye
suborbital fat
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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