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

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Etymology

Origin of orb

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

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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

See Examples For:

orb orbs

Especially not a green, alien orb that levitates him.

From Salon ● Aug. 31, 2026

The glare of the metal painted a mirage in the desiccated swap meet landscape, emitting an orb of heat and undeniable beauty.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

Nevertheless the moon, which is described as an orange, amber or golden orb, will still appear full to the naked eye overnight on Tuesday and Wednesday.

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

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

From Barron's ● May 8, 2026

He gently clipped one onto a flap of metal sheeting that he'd fused to the switch on top of the orb.

From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat

On “Souls of Fire,” Mr. Light’s guitar track is reversed—heard backward—to produce briefly glowing orbs of sound that intensify the song’s elegiac mood.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

And it was not until the 1990s that her vivid patterns, bold floral shapes and shiny steel orbs hit the mainstream, later providing the backdrop to countless selfies.

From Barron's ● Aug. 27, 2026

In the lab, FinalSpark's cellular biologist Dr Flora Brozzi handed me a dish containing several small white orbs.

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2025

For some, though, “fruit salad” still conjures images of syrup-slicked fruit orbs — maybe even veering into ambrosia territory.

From Salon ● May 31, 2025

“One hundred and eighty-six. That’s even more orbs than you had before.”

From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat

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Related Words

• sphere

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