orb
Americannoun
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a sphere or globe.
a Christmas tree hung with brightly colored orbs.
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the eyeball or eye.
He looks with blind orbs on an indifferent world.
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any of the heavenly bodies, as the sun or moon.
He lay on the grass, warmed by that orb of day, the sun.
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a globe bearing a cross; the mound or emblem of sovereignty, especially as part of the regalia of England.
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Astrology. the number of degrees from exactness within which an aspect operates.
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a circle or something circular.
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Astronomy. (formerly) the orbit of a heavenly body.
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the earth.
verb (used with object)
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to form into a circle or sphere.
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Archaic. to encircle; enclose.
verb (used without object)
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to move in an orbit.
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to form into an orb or globe; round out.
noun
verb
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to make or become circular or spherical
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(tr) an archaic word for encircle
Usage
What does orb mean? An orb is an object shaped like a sphere or globe.We call most globe-shaped things balls or spheres. Orb is usually reserved for more poetic uses, or to convey a fantastical or sci-fi feel—a UFO might be described as an orb, for example.Example: The movie shows the aliens traveling in an orb of light.
Other Word Forms
- orbless adjective
- orblike adjective
- unorbed adjective
Etymology
Origin of orb
First recorded in 1520–30, orb is from the Latin word orbis circle, disk, orb
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The star was encased in a glass orb, spinning in place like it wanted to get free.
From Literature
He recalls with clarity the opening day of the war almost four years ago when he could see bright flashes in the sky - a "bright orb" - as Russia launched its attacks.
From BBC
Not necessarily a designer one, but a handbag with a strong sense of itself — an acid-green baguette bag, a wicker orb with a padlock, a cheetah-print apothecary satchel.
From Salon
Let’s pause here to clarify: The colorful parts of a poinsettia aren’t really flowers; those are the tiny yellow and red orbs in the center of the plant.
From Los Angeles Times
This year, a red-robed Chewbacca holding a glowing orb — the official symbol of Life Day — will for the first time wander Galaxy’s Edge to meet with visitors.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
