# orbit

/ˈɔɹbət/ (US) · /ˈɔːbɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/orbit
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. space path

noun · CEFR B1

the curved path that a planet, moon, or satellite follows as it travels around another body in space.

For teachers: the gravitationally curved trajectory of an object, such as a planet or satellite, around a point or another celestial body.

- The satellite was launched into a stable orbit around the Earth.
- Calculations for the probe's elliptical orbit had to account for the gravitational pull of both the planet and its largest moon.

Usage: Often used with the prepositions 'in' or 'into'.

### 2. sphere of influence

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the area or group of people that someone or something has power over.

For teachers: a sphere of influence or the range of activity, interest, or control exercised by a person or organisation.

- The small country gradually moved into the trade orbit of its larger neighbour.
- As the CEO's reputation grew, more young entrepreneurs sought to enter her professional orbit to secure funding and mentorship.

### 3. eye socket

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the bony hole in the skull that holds the eye.

For teachers: the bony cavity in the skull of a vertebrate that contains the eyeball and its associated muscles and nerves.

- The doctor checked for any fractures in the patient's left orbit after the accident.
- The surgical team performed a delicate procedure to remove a benign growth from the posterior of the orbital cavity.

### 4. to travel around

verb · CEFR B1

to move in a curved path around a planet, star, or other object.

For teachers: to move in an orbit around a celestial body or a central point of attraction.

- The Moon orbits the Earth once every twenty-seven days.
- The space station orbits the planet at an altitude of approximately four hundred kilometres, completing several revolutions each day.

### 5. social media monitoring

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

to keep watching an ex-partner's social media posts without talking to them.

For teachers: to continue to follow or engage with a former romantic partner's social media content after a breakup, typically without direct communication.

- Even though they broke up months ago, he still orbits her Instagram stories.
- She found it unsettling that her ex-boyfriend continued to orbit her digital life, liking her posts despite their lack of verbal contact.

Teaching tip: This is a modern slang term; it implies a passive but persistent presence that can be seen as creepy or unhealthy.

## Examples

- The Earth is in orbit around the Sun.
- Engineers worked for months to ensure the satellite reached its correct orbit without burning too much fuel.
- While most planets maintain nearly circular paths, some comets follow a highly elliptical orbit that brings them close to the sun only once every few centuries.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.