orbit

The path an object follows around a planet, star, or other body, or one complete trip along it.

• The moon has an orbit around Earth.
• The satellite completed three orbits today.
• They placed the spacecraft in orbit around Mars.

How to use it: an orbit around something (The satellite follows an orbit around Earth.); in orbit around something (The spacecraft is in orbit around Mars.)

Common phrases: in orbit, enter orbit, complete an orbit

The range of people, places, or activities influenced or controlled by someone or something powerful.

• The country entered its neighbour's orbit.
• Several journalists were drawn into the politician's orbit.
• The issue lies outside the orbit of her interests.

How to use it: in/within someone's orbit (The smaller states remained within the empire's orbit.); draw someone/something into someone's orbit (His success drew several young artists into his orbit.)

Similar words: sphere, sphere of influence

Common phrases: within someone's orbit, outside someone's orbit, political orbit

The space in the bones of the skull that holds an eye.

• The eye sits inside the orbit.
• The scan showed a fracture of the left orbit.
• Both orbits were damaged in the accident.

Similar words: eye socket

Common phrases: bony orbit, left orbit, fractured orbit

A series of poker hands in which every player at the table pays the larger required starting bet once.

• I'll play one more orbit.
• She lost half her chips during the last orbit.
• Each player pays the big blind once per orbit.

Similar words: round

Common phrases: one more orbit, per orbit, complete an orbit

A state of great excitement or anger.

• Dad went into orbit over the mess.
• The surprise announcement sent the fans into orbit.
• Will she go into orbit when she hears the cost?

How to use it: go into orbit (Mum went into orbit when she saw the broken window.)

Similar words: frenzy

Common phrases: go into orbit, send into orbit

To move around someone or something, staying nearby.

• The children orbited their mother.
• Guests orbited around the food table throughout the evening.
• He kept orbiting the room, looking for someone to talk to.

How to use it: orbit around someone/something (The children orbited around their grandmother all afternoon.)

Similar words: circle, hover around

Common phrases: orbit around someone, orbit the room

To send something into space so that it travels around a planet.

• The rocket can orbit a small satellite.
• The agency orbited two weather satellites last year.
• How much fuel is needed to orbit this payload?

Similar words: launch into orbit

Common phrases: orbit a satellite, orbit a spacecraft