globe

American  

[glohb] / gloʊb /

noun

1. Usually the globe the planet Earth.

2. a planet or other celestial body.

3. a sphere on which is depicted a map of the earth terrestrial globe or of the heavens celestial globe.

4. a spherical body; sphere.

5. anything more or less spherical, as a lampshade or a glass fishbowl.

6. a golden ball traditionally borne as an emblem of sovereignty; orb.

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verb (used with object)

globed, globing

1. to form into a globe.

verb (used without object)

globed, globing

1. to take the form of a globe.

globe British  

/ ɡləʊb /

noun

1. a sphere on which a map of the world or the heavens is drawn or represented

2. the world; the earth

3. a planet or some other astronomical body

4. an object shaped like a sphere, such as a glass lampshade or fish-bowl

5. an electric light bulb

6. an orb, usually of gold, symbolic of authority or sovereignty

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verb

1. to form or cause to form into a globe

Usage

What does globe mean? The word globe most generally refers to a sphere—a ball-like shape or object. Something globe-shaped can be described as globular, which means the same thing as spherical.More specifically, a globe is a three-dimensional model of Earth. (There are also globes representing the moon and other planets, but globes of Earth are most common.) These kinds of globes are associated with their use in classrooms for the subject of geography.The phrase the globe is another way of saying the world or the planet in reference to Earth, as in His name was known in almost every corner of the globe. Example: I started my travels around the globe by spinning a globe and pointing to a random destination.

Related Words

See earth.

Other Word Forms

• globelike adjective

Etymology

Origin of globe

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French globe, from Latin globus “round body, ball, sphere”

Example Sentences

If approved, the medication could play an important role in protecting reproductive health for millions of people around the globe.

From Science Daily

Venezuelans abroad have struggled, leaving parents and small children behind as they spread out across the globe.

From The Wall Street Journal

Footballers across the globe will be hoping for a big year for a multitude of reasons.

From BBC

Maybe it’s the overwhelming despair and helplessness about a problem that is still devouring our globe.

From Salon

The breakaway PDC was established in 1992, offering bigger prize money and worldwide tournaments featuring the sport's top players from around the globe.

From Barron's

Related Words

• map
• planet
• world