orbit

plural orbits

1. The curved path of one object around a point or another body.
   1. countableuncountableastronomyAn elliptical movement of an object about a celestial object or Lagrange point, especially a periodic elliptical revolution.
   2. countableuncountableastronomyOne complete circuit round an orbited body.

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

   3. uncountableThe state of moving in an orbit.
   4. countableuncountablenatural sciencesThe path of an electron around an atomic nucleus.
   5. countableuncountablepinballA 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.
2. countablefigurativelyuncountableA sphere of influence; an area or extent of activity, interest, or control.

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

   3 more examples

   The convenience store was a heavily travelled point in her daily orbit, as she purchased both cigarettes and lottery tickets there.

   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

3. countableuncountableanatomyThe bony cavity in the skull of a vertebrate containing the eyeball.

   Synonyms: eye socket, cranial orbit

   1. countableuncountableanatomyThe area around the eye of a bird or other animal.

      Synonyms: eye socket, cranial orbit

4. countableuncountablemathematicsA collection of points related by the evolution function of a dynamical system.
5. countableuncountablegeometryThe 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.
6. countableuncountableTexas hold 'emcard gamesThe number of hands such that each player at the table has posted the big blind once.

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

7. countableinformaluncountableA state of increased excitement, activity, or anger.

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

   1 more example

   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

present singular third person orbits · participle present orbiting · participle past orbited · past orbited

1. transitiveastronomyTo circle or revolve around another object or position.

   The Earth orbits the Sun.

   1 more example

   The satellite orbits the Lagrange point.

   1. transitiveastronomyTo place an object (e.g. a satellite) into an orbit around a planet.

      A rocket was used to orbit the satellite.

      Synonyms: launch

2. transitiveTo move around the general vicinity of something.

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

   Synonyms: circumambulate, tag along

3. transitiveTo move in a circle.
4. transitiveTo center (around).

   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)

5. transitivedatingTo continue to follow or engage with someone by means of social media after breaking up with them.