noun
orbit
AW-biht
noun
1
The curved path an object follows as it travels around another body due to gravity, such as a planet around the sun.
"The satellite was launched into orbit around the Earth."
2
A sphere of influence, activity, or interest that surrounds someone or something.
"The young musician was drawn into the orbit of the city's biggest producers."
verb
1
To move in a circular or curved path around something.
"The moon orbits the Earth roughly every 27 days."
How to Use Orbit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe path something takes as it circles around another object — or, figuratively, someone's sphere of influence.
Common pairings
orbit the Earth
fall into someone's orbit
low Earth orbit
Word Forms
orbited past tense, orbits plural, orbits singular
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The satellite was launched into _____ around the Earth.
Etymology
From Latin orbita, "track, course," related to orbis, "circle."