What does orbital mean?
Orbital describes anything connected with the curved path followed by an object moving around another object. The word is especially common in astronomy, where it refers to a satellite’s or planet’s movement around a larger body and to related quantities such as orbital velocity, orbital period, and orbital mechanics. In chemistry and quantum physics, an orbital is a mathematical description of the possible states and spatial distribution of an electron or other quantum object. The word can also evoke the general image of circling movement, although it is more precise and technical than the everyday phrase “going around.” In modern language, “orbital satellite” is a familiar expression associated with communications, navigation, and space research. Its Latin-root connection to “orbit” makes it especially useful when discussing systems in which one body is held in motion around another.
Relating to an orbit, especially the path of a celestial body or satellite around another body.
"The spacecraft completed its orbital transfer between two planetary orbits."
In technical contexts, orbital often forms part of fixed compounds such as orbital mechanics and orbital period.
In quantum physics or chemistry, a state or region describing the possible behavior and distribution of an electron or other quantum object.
"The electron occupies a higher-energy orbital after absorbing energy."
The plural orbitals is standard in physics and chemistry; in general astronomy, the more usual terms are orbit and orbital path.
The plural is standard in physics and chemistry when referring to quantum-mechanical states or regions.
"The two orbitals overlap to form a molecular bond."
Your phone may be in your hand, but its signals are still on an orbital path around Earth.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does orbital come from?
The word orbital was formed in the 19th century from the English noun orbit and the suffix -al, meaning “relating to.” Orbit itself comes through Old French from Latin orbis, meaning “circle” or “globe,” referring to the apparent circular path of a celestial body. The same Latin root also underlies words such as orb and orbiter, and the family includes related forms such as suborbital.
Related word forms
How orbital is actually used
In astronomy and physics, orbital is standard technical vocabulary. In everyday descriptions of telecommunications, an orbital satellite usually means a satellite positioned above Earth, while the adjective may also suggest movement around a larger body.
Easily confused with orbital
An orbit is the curved path followed by one object around another, whereas orbital is an adjective describing something related to that path or the motion associated with it.