orb

American  

[awrb] / ɔrb /

noun

1. a sphere or globe.

   a Christmas tree hung with brightly colored orbs.

2. the eyeball or eye.

   He looks with blind orbs on an indifferent world.

3. any of the heavenly bodies, as the sun or moon.

   He lay on the grass, warmed by that orb of day, the sun.

4. a globe bearing a cross; the mound or emblem of sovereignty, especially as part of the regalia of England.

5. Astrology. the number of degrees from exactness within which an aspect operates.

6. a circle or something circular.

7. Astronomy. (formerly) the orbit of a heavenly body.

8. the earth.

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verb (used with object)

1. to form into a circle or sphere.

2. Archaic. to encircle; enclose.

verb (used without object)

1. to move in an orbit.

2. to form into an orb or globe; round out.

orb British  

/ ɔːb /

noun

1. (in royal regalia) an ornamental sphere surmounted by a cross, representing the power of a sovereign

2. a sphere; globe

3. poetic another word for eye 1

4. obsolete

   1. a celestial body, esp the earth or sun

   2. the orbit of a celestial body

5. an archaic word for circle

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verb

1. to make or become circular or spherical

2. (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

It’s like golf, except a player can’t javelin his clubs into a water hazard or pitch a 15-pound orb across six alleys, even if he could.

From The Wall Street Journal

A giant Japanese lantern floats above them like an orb.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Related Words

• sphere