ORBITAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does orbital mean? 

• ORBITAL (adjective)
  The adjective ORBITAL has 2 senses:

1. of or relating to an orbit

2. of or relating to the eye socket

  Familiarity information: ORBITAL used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ORBITAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to an orbit

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

orbital velocity

Pertainym:

orbit (the (usually elliptical) path described by one celestial body in its revolution about another)

Derivation:

orbit (the (usually elliptical) path described by one celestial body in its revolution about another)

orbit (the path of an electron around the nucleus of an atom)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Of or relating to the eye socket

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

orbital arch

Pertainym:

orbit (the bony cavity in the skull containing the eyeball)

Derivation:

orbit (the bony cavity in the skull containing the eyeball)

 Context examples 

The Spitzer data increased scientists' confidence that TOI 700 d is a real planet and sharpened their measurements of its orbital period by 56% and its size by 38%.

(NASA Planet Hunter Finds Earth-Size Habitable-Zone World, NASA)

Orbital observations of the site by another NASA spacecraft, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, found a spectrum with the signature of aluminum bound to oxygen and hydrogen.

(Aluminum-Bearing Site on Mars Draws NASA Visitor, NASA)

"We suspect, instead, there is a cloud of dust orbiting the star with a roughly 700-day orbital period."

(Mysterious Dimming of Tabby's Star May Be Caused by Dust, NASA)

It is one of the most common orbital tumors.

(Orbit Dermoid Cyst, NCI Thesaurus)

Additional observations of asteroid 2013 TX68 have been obtained, refining its orbital path and moving the date of the asteroid's Earth flyby from March 5 to March 8.

(Small Asteroid to Pass Close to Earth March 8, NASA)

But while Jupiter revolves around our sun once every 12 years, WASP-121b has an orbital period of just 1.3 days.

(Hubble Detects Exoplanet with Glowing Water Atmosphere, NASA)

The orbital part of the inferior frontal convolution.

(Anterior Inferior Frontal Convolution, NCI Thesaurus)

The part of the conjunctiva, a thin transparent mucous membrane, that is loosely attached the orbital septum and covers the anterior surface of the sclera.

(Bulbar Conjunctiva, NCI Thesaurus)

It is classified as a potentially hazardous asteroid by the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Centre, although orbital calculations have found there is no risk of the asteroid colliding with the Earth.

(Biggest Asteroid Ever Detected Flies Past Earth, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

"Only later, after its orbital tilt was established, could Naiad settle into this unusual resonance with Thalassa."

(NASA Finds Neptune Moons Locked in 'Dance of Avoidance', NASA)