adjective
orbital
aw-biht-uhl
adjective
1
Relating to an orbit, such as that of a moon, planet, or spacecraft.
"The rocket reached orbital velocity within minutes of launch."
2
Describing a road or railway that circles around the outside of a city.
"Traffic on the orbital motorway was backed up for miles."
How to Use Orbital
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelated to an orbit — or, in the UK especially, describing a ring road around a city.
Common pairings
orbital motorway
orbital mechanics
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The rocket reached _____ velocity within minutes of launch.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin orbitalis, based on orbita, "track, orbit."