B1nounspacescience
US/ˈɔːr.bɪt/
UK/ˈɔː.bɪt/
the curved path that a planet, moon or spacecraft follows around a larger object in space
In context
The Earth takes about a year to complete one orbit around the sun.
Vietnam's first communications satellite was put into orbit in 2008.
Thousands of pieces of old rockets are still in orbit around the planet.
Words that go with orbit
verb + preposition
- launch into orbitThe satellite was launched into orbit from French Guiana.
verb + noun
- enter orbitThe probe will enter orbit around Mars next year.
- complete an orbitThe space station completes an orbit every ninety minutes.
adjective + noun
- stable orbitEngineers moved the satellite into a stable orbit.
- low orbitMany internet satellites travel in low orbit, close to the Earth.