What does "orbital" mean?

1. (space and planets) relating to the path of an object moving around a planet, moon, or star. 2. (around a city) describing a road or railway that goes around the outside of a city. 3. (the eye socket) relating to the bony hole in the skull where the eye sits. 4. (electron path) a mathematical description of where an electron is likely to be in an atom.

How do you use "orbital"?

Usually placed before the noun. Commonly used in British English to describe ring roads. Used primarily in medical and anatomical contexts.

orbital

adj. · n.

US //ˈɔɹbətəɫ// UK //ˈɔːbɪtəl// or·bital

1 space and planets (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Science

relating to the path of an object moving around a planet, moon, or star.

relating to or following the path of an orbit, particularly of a celestial body or spacecraft.

Example

The satellite reached its orbital position and began sending signals back to Earth.

Example

Engineers calculated the precise orbital velocity required to maintain a stable position above the equator without falling back into the atmosphere.

Usage

Usually placed before the noun.
- revolving
- planetary
2 around a city (adj.)
C1 Advanced British English

describing a road or railway that goes around the outside of a city.

describing a transport route, such as a motorway or railway line, that circles the periphery of an urban area.

Example

Traffic was heavy on the orbital motorway during the morning rush hour.

Example

The construction of the new orbital road was intended to divert heavy freight traffic away from the historic city centre.

Usage

Commonly used in British English to describe ring roads.
- peripheral
- circumferential
- ring road

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3 the eye socket (adj.)
C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

relating to the bony hole in the skull where the eye sits.

relating to the orbit or eye socket of the skull.

Example

The boxer suffered an orbital fracture during the final round of the fight.

Example

The surgeon carefully examined the orbital floor to ensure no nerve damage had occurred during the impact.

Usage

Used primarily in medical and anatomical contexts.
4 electron path (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Science

a mathematical description of where an electron is likely to be in an atom.

a mathematical function describing the location and wave-like behaviour of an electron in an atom.

Example

In chemistry class, we learned how electrons fill different orbitals.

Example

The overlapping of atomic orbitals is a fundamental concept in understanding the formation of covalent bonds between atoms.
- electron cloud

Origin

Borrowed from Medieval Latin orbitālis, from orbita (“a track or rut; a circuit, orbit”) + -ālis (“-al”, adjectival suffix), equivalent to orbit + -al. Doublet of orbitalis.