orb

American  

[awrb] / ɔrb /

noun

orbs plural

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

Derived Forms

• orbless
  adjective
• orblike
  adjective
• unorbed
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• orbs
  plural

Etymology

Origin of orb

First recorded in 1520–30, orb is from the Latin word orbis circle, disk, orb

Explanation

An orb is a ball-shaped object. You might be inspired to write a poem about the full moon in which you describe it as "a glowing orb." The sun, moon, marbles, grapes — all of these have been described (particularly by poets) as orbs. Your round gold earrings, your dog's favorite tennis ball, and a grapefruit before you cut it in half can be called orbs too, because they're all spherical in shape. The Latin source, orbem, means "circle, disk, ring, or hoop," and is probably related to orbita, "wheel track or rut."

Example Sentences

In another, two federal special agents witnessed "a glowing orange orb... perched close to a rock pinnacle."

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

However, some discoveries resist easy answers, and the "golden orb" became one of those rare, lingering mysteries.

From Science Daily • Apr. 27, 2026

Knowing approximately when to head home for the day could be guessed by examining nature—even by looking at a sheep’s pupils, which go from a rectangular slit to a wide orb as the light fades.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Eventually, home peaked back out from behind the dark orb.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

The zippy whir of the trashman's small orb motor rose in pitch as he steered the boat out into the central channel of the river.

From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat

Related Words

• sphere