Orbit

/ˈɔː.bɪt/ noun, verb, slang

noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: The curved path of one object around a point or another body.; An elliptical movement of an object about a celestial object or Lagrange point, especially a periodic elliptical revolution.
  • Grammar: orbit is listed as noun, verb, slang.
  • Nearest alternatives: domain, sphere, air lane, ambit.
  • Useful contrasts: diverge, flyby, flybys.
  • Usage evidence: The satellite is in orbit around the moon.

How to use "orbit"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "orbit" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "orbit" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "orbit" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "orbit" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "orbit" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "domain" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "orbit", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The curved path of one object around a point or another body.; An elliptical movement of an object about a celestial object or Lagrange point, especially a periodic elliptical revolution. countable, uncountable
  2. 2
    an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: wordnet
  3. 3
    The curved path of one object around a point or another body.; An elliptical movement of an object about a celestial object or Lagrange point, especially a periodic elliptical revolution.; One complete circuit round an orbited body. countable, uncountable

    "The Moon's orbit around the Earth takes nearly one month to complete."

  4. 4
    the bony cavity in the skull containing the eyeball wordnet
  5. 5
    The curved path of one object around a point or another body.; The state of moving in an orbit. uncountable
Show 12 more definitions
  1. 6
    the (usually elliptical) path described by one celestial body in its revolution about another wordnet
  2. 7
    The curved path of one object around a point or another body.; The path of an electron around an atomic nucleus. countable, uncountable
  3. 8
    the path of an electron around the nucleus of an atom wordnet
  4. 9
    The curved path of one object around a point or another body.; A path for the ball on the outer edge of the playfield, usually connected so that the ball entering in one end will come out of the other. countable, uncountable
  5. 10
    a particular environment or walk of life wordnet
  6. 11
    A sphere of influence; an area or extent of activity, interest, or control. countable, figuratively, uncountable

    "In the post WWII era, several eastern European countries came into the orbit of the Soviet Union."

  7. 12
    The bony cavity in the skull of a vertebrate containing the eyeball. countable, uncountable
  8. 13
    The bony cavity in the skull of a vertebrate containing the eyeball.; The area around the eye of a bird or other animal. countable, uncountable
  9. 14
    A collection of points related by the evolution function of a dynamical system. countable, uncountable
  10. 15
    The subset of elements of a set X to which a given element can be moved by members of a specified group of transformations that act on X. countable, uncountable
  11. 16
    The number of hands such that each player at the table has posted the big blind once. countable, uncountable

    "All right, I'll play one more orbit but then I'm leaving!"

  12. 17
    A state of increased excitement, activity, or anger. countable, informal, uncountable

    "Dad went into orbit when I told him that I'd crashed the car."

Verb
  1. 1
    To circle or revolve around another object or position. transitive

    "The Earth orbits the Sun."

  2. 2
    move in an orbit wordnet
  3. 3
    To circle or revolve around another object or position.; To place an object (e.g. a satellite) into an orbit around a planet. transitive

    "A rocket was used to orbit the satellite."

  4. 4
    To move around the general vicinity of something. transitive

    "The harried mother had a cloud of children orbiting her, begging for sweets."

  5. 5
    To move in a circle. transitive
Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    To center (around). transitive

    "I have orbited my entire life around you, and you know it, okay?"

  2. 7
    To continue to follow or engage with someone by means of social media after breaking up with them. transitive

Synonyms

All synonyms
domainsphereair laneambitambitannular muscle

Example

"The satellite is in orbit around the moon."

Common questions

What does "orbit" mean?

The curved path of one object around a point or another body.; An elliptical movement of an object about a celestial object or Lagrange point, especially a periodic elliptical revolution.

What is a synonym for "orbit"?

Common synonyms include: domain, sphere, air lane, ambit, ambit, annular muscle.

How do you use "orbit" in a sentence?

The satellite is in orbit around the moon.

How do you pronounce "orbit"?

Pronounced /ˈɔː.bɪt/.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English orbite, orbita, from Latin orbita (“course, track, impression, mark”).

More for "orbit"

Synonyms

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