globe

American  

[glohb] / gloʊb /

noun

globes plural

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.

Synonym Usage

See earth.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• globelike
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• globes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of globe

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

Explanation

A globe doesn't have to be a spherical representation of our planet; it can be anything shaped like one — like a soccer ball or a gumball. Referring to a round shape, globe is often used interchangeably with sphere, though sphere has another meaning of an area of particular interest or a segment of a particular population. Globe is also another name for planet Earth itself, our lovely third rock from the sun — as in "viewers are tuning in from around the globe."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

globe globes globed globing

"Even relatively small exporters and shipments are subject to thorough review and scrutiny on both sides of the globe, and any diverted products would have no service, support, or updates."

From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026

The uptick in investment helps boost shares in chip makers across the globe, the analyst notes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

Part-ownership in four or five sports across the globe could have been deemed to have more value for the Mittal family than partnerships, for instance.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

Through the 24/7 streams, Jackie and her longtime mate Shadow are watched by thousands of devoted fans across the globe.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026

In March 1917, when Elizebeth and William started Riverbank’s Department of Ciphers, World War I had been raging in Europe for over two years, and the conflict had spread across the globe.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

Ignore her pleas and give these soothing cryo-sculpting globes that aim to ease puffiness and will help her find a moment of peace in the morning.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026

And it came with added significance as she became the first man or woman in the history of the alpine skiing World Cup to win more than eight globes in a single event.

From Barron's ● Jan. 25, 2026

At one of the stalls selling snow globes are locals Nemer and Leila Awad, who say the markets remind them of Europe.

From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2025

Gut-Behrami also leads the standings in Super-G and giant slalom, putting her on course to match Shiffrin’s impressive feat of claiming four crystal globes in 2019.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 16, 2024

“To the future of Faerie,” I say, tapping the globes together, making the glass ring like bells.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black

Art Deco touches inform outdoor marquees, globed chandeliers, and vintage Audubon wallpaper is glinting with pink birds.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 26, 2024

The Peter Kiewit Foundation no longer is funding the maintenance of Abbott Drive, which includes the so-called String of Pearls - globed lights that line a stretch of the thoroughfare.

From Washington Times ● Jan. 10, 2019

Donors have long paid for the so-called String of Pearls entrance, which features globed lights that line a stretch of Abbott Drive.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 10, 2018

A branch bounces, and out pops a Titi monkey with black, globed eyes and a pewter-colored beard.

From Time Magazine Archive

Soft, salty bread and white cheese, slices of spiced meat, and quarters of some big, globed fruit that tasted of sugared rain.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

I seemed conscious only of a shaft of light, as it were, traversing the darkness and globing itself in a steady disc of radiance on a lonely door.

From At a Winter's Fire by Capes, Bernard Edward Joseph

Related Words

• map
• planet
• world