Orbit
/ˈɔːr.bɪt/
Definitions
3 meaningsThe curved path that a planet, satellite, or other object takes around another celestial body.
/ˈɔːr.bɪt/
The curved path of an object around a celestial body.
The satellite went into orbit around the Earth.
💡 Simply: Imagine a carousel! A planet's orbit is like the path the horses take as they go round and round the sun. It's a big circle in space! When a satellite 'orbits' the Earth, it's like it's going around and around in that big circle. It's kind of like playing ring-around-the-rosie with the sun!
👶 For kids: A path that something travels around something else, like the Earth goes around the Sun.
More Examples
Scientists are studying the orbit of the new comet.
The spacecraft will enter the moon's orbit in a few hours.
How It's Used
"The Earth's orbit around the sun takes approximately 365 days."
"The spaceship entered orbit around the alien planet."
To move in a circular or elliptical path around a celestial body.
/ˈɔːr.bɪt/
To move or travel in a curved path around an object.
The moon orbits the Earth.
💡 Simply: Think of a lazy Susan on a table! When something 'orbits', it's like it's going around and around the central object. It's a continuous journey around something else. For example, planets orbit the sun.
👶 For kids: To go around and around something, like a merry-go-round.
More Examples
The satellite will orbit the planet for the next year.
Her worries orbited in her mind, keeping her awake all night.
How It's Used
"The spacecraft orbited the moon for several days."
"His thoughts orbited around the problem until he found a solution."
The sphere or range of influence or activity.
/ˈɔːr.bɪt/
The range of someone's influence or activity.
The author's influence extended beyond his usual orbit of readers.
💡 Simply: Think of it like the area a person's friends and activities surround. This could refer to a person's friends, job, and/or interests
👶 For kids: The stuff that someone does and the people they're with.
More Examples
The political crisis widened the orbit of the conflict.
His business dealings expanded the orbit of his empire.
How It's Used
"The new policy extended the company's orbit of influence."
"The celebrities moved within the same orbit."
Idioms & expressions
out of orbit
Erratic; not functioning correctly; emotionally unstable.
"He's been completely out of orbit since he got the bad news."
From Latin orbita 'course, track, or wheel-rut', from orbis 'circle, ring'.
The word 'orbit' began to be used in an astronomical context in the 16th century, coinciding with the heliocentric model of the solar system.
Memory tip
Think of a circular road a planet follows.