orbiter

noun

or·​bit·​er ˈȯr-bə-tər How to pronounce orbiter (audio)
: one that orbits: such as
a
: a spacecraft designed to orbit a celestial body without landing on its surface
b
: space shuttle

Examples of orbiter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But the two lunar orbiters might be able to see not just the crash and impact crater but also the plume of dust kicked up by the rocket's death dive. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 5 Aug. 2026 Brent Garry, a project scientist for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, said the orbiter will pass over the region before and after the impact to get a sense of any changes to the surface. — Chandelis Duster, NPR, 2 Aug. 2026 Scientists view it as a valuable opportunity to study lunar impacts, with orbiters like NASA's LRO observing before and after. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 Each tile required post-flight inspections, so reuse of Space Shuttle orbiters remained expensive and time-consuming. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for orbiter

Word History

Etymology

orbit entry 3 + -er entry 2

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of orbiter was in 1951

Browse Nearby Words

orbitelous spider
orbiter
orbitoid
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Orbiter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orbiter. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

orbiter

noun
or·​bit·​er ˈȯr-bət-ər How to pronounce orbiter (audio)
1
: one that orbits
2
: space shuttle
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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