Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

orbital

adjective

/ˈɔːrbɪtəl/

Definition

Relating to an orbit or the path that an object takes as it moves around another object in space.

Examples

The orbital speed of a satellite depends on its distance from the Earth.
In chemistry, an electron orbital describes the likely location of an electron around a nucleus.
The program offered insights into how different planets have varying orbital patterns.

Meaning

An orbital is a concept primarily used in physics and chemistry to describe the regions in space where electrons are likely to be found around an atom and also refers to the path followed by celestial bodies, such as planets, as they move around stars or other bodies under the influence of gravity.