Word: Orbit

Pronunciation

/ˈɔːrbɪt/

Definitions

• Noun: (n) The curved path that an object in space takes around a celestial body, such as a planet or star, under the influence of its gravity. Example: “The moon’s orbit around Earth takes approximately 28 days.”

  • Also used metaphorically to describe a sphere of influence or activity. Example: “The city has become a major player in the global economic orbit.”

• Verb: (v) To move in a curved path around a celestial body or to rotate around something else. Example: “Satellites orbit the Earth transmitting data back to ground stations.”

Phrases

• “In orbit”: Refers to an object that is currently moving along a circular or elliptical path around a celestial body. Example: “The International Space Station has been in orbit around Earth since 1998.”
• “To put something into orbit”: Means to launch it into space so that it begins circling a celestial body. Example: “NASA successfully put a new satellite into orbit last night.”

Example Sentences

• Noun: “Astronomers calculated the exact dimensions of Mars’ orbit around the sun.”
• Verb: “The spacecraft was designed to orbit Jupiter and study its moons.”

Synonyms

• Revolution
• Course
• Path
• Rotation
• Circuit
• Movement around
• Track
• Circumvolution (for the noun sense)
• Circle (when used as a verb in the astronomical context)