Orbit Meaning
/ˈɔː.bɪt/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounThe curved path of one object around a point or another body.
nounThe 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.
Sentence Examples
The satellite is now in orbit.
The satellite is in orbit around the moon.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The spacecraft will begin its ____ around Mars after a six-month journey.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The satellite was launched into ____ around Earth to monitor weather patterns from above.
Word Origin & History
Inherited from Middle English orbite, orbita, from Latin orbita (“course, track, impression, mark”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Bondi has been inside Trump’s orbit for some time, and is widely seen to have demonstrated her loyalty to Trump during his first term, when she helped with his impeachment defense, and more recently when she repeatedly attended Trump’s criminal trial in New York."
— 2024 November 22, Hugo Lowell, “Trump names Pam Bondi as attorney general pick after Gaetz steps aside”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
"So, it is clear from the consultation that while the intention is to bring track and train together under GBR, it will not escape the orbit of the government."
— 2025 March 5, Richard Wilcock, “DfT sets out its plans with rail reform consultation”, in RAIL, number 1030, page 28:
"Given a veritable Pagan's Paddock by the Cats to work in on Friday night, Danger booted two goals in the first seven minutes to send Geelong fans into orbit."
— 2017 September 18, Andrew McGarry, “AFL finals week two: The heroes and villains from the elimination semi-finals”, in ABC News, archived from the original on 02 Oct 2018:
"I have orbited my entire life around you, and you know it, okay?"
— 2013, Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke, Before Midnight (motion picture), spoken by Jesse (Ethan Hawke):
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The spacecraft will begin its ____ around Mars after a six-month journey.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The satellite was launched into ____ around Earth to monitor weather patterns from above.