orbit
OR-bit
/ˈɔːrbɪt/
(noun) The curved path, usually elliptical, that a celestial body or spacecraft follows around a star, planet, or moon. (verb) To move in such a path.
Describes the gravitational dance between two bodies. The path is not necessarily a perfect circle but an ellipse. 'Orbit' implies a continuous, repeating motion.
The story behind the word. The word 'orbit' comes from the Latin `orbita`, which originally meant 'wheel track' or 'rut.' This makes perfect sense when you think of a planet tracing a continuous path around a star, much like a wheel leaves a track. Over time, it evolved to specifically describe the predictable, curved paths of celestial bodies.
Word relationships
- revolution: Refers to the act of orbiting, often emphasizing the completion of a full cycle.
- path: More general; 'orbit' specifies a gravitationally bound, curved path.
Commonly confused with
- rotate: To rotate means to spin on an axis (like Earth rotating daily), while to orbit means to revolve around another body (like Earth orbiting the Sun annually).
Word family
- orbital (adjective): relating to an orbit.
Collocations
- geosynchronous orbit
- low Earth orbit
- elliptical orbit
- stable orbit
- decaying orbit
Idioms & expressions
- in orbit (informal, very excited or successful)
Example sentences
- "The Earth completes one orbit around the Sun approximately every 365 days." Describing planetary motion.
- "NASA plans to launch a new satellite that will orbit Mars, studying its atmosphere and geology." Describing spacecraft movement.
Memory hook
An ORBIT is the ORB's (planet's) bit of a path around another object. ORBIT = circular path.
When not to use
Do not use 'orbit' for a trajectory that is not gravitationally bound or does not complete a full revolution (e.g., a projectile's path).
Fun facts
- The first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched into Earth orbit in 1957.
- Objects in orbit are constantly falling towards the central body, but their horizontal velocity is so great that they continuously miss.
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