die Umlaufbahn, -en

Definition & meaning

die Umlaufbahn means orbit or orbital path: the curved path followed by a celestial body, satellite, spacecraft, or another object around a larger body.

• Der Satellit befindet sich in einer Umlaufbahn um die Erde.
  “The satellite is in orbit around the Earth.”
• Die Raumsonde wurde in eine Umlaufbahn gebracht.
  “The space probe was placed into orbit.”

The word can also be used figuratively for a person or organization’s sphere of influence or activity, although this meaning is less common.

Grammar & Word origin

• Gender: feminine — die Umlaufbahn
• Plural: die Umlaufbahnen
• Compound: Umlauf + Bahn
  • der Umlauf ↗ means “circulation,” “revolution,” or “orbit.”
  • die Bahn ↗ means “path,” “track,” or “trajectory.”

Literally, Umlaufbahn means a “path of circulation” or a “path around something.”

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

• die Orbitbahn ↗ — an orbit; more technical and less common than Umlaufbahn.
• der Orbit ↗ — orbit; a common technical term, especially in space-related contexts.
• die Kreisbahn ↗ — circular orbit or circular path; more specific, because it emphasizes a circular shape.

Antonyms

There is no exact direct antonym. Depending on the context, possible contrasts include:

• der Stillstand ↗ — standstill or lack of movement.
• die Ruheposition ↗ — stationary position, contrasting with an object moving along an orbit.

Common phrases & collocations

• eine Umlaufbahn erreichen ↗ — to reach orbit
• in eine Umlaufbahn bringen ↗ — to place into orbit
• sich in einer Umlaufbahn befinden ↗ — to be in orbit
• die Umlaufbahn der Erde ↗ — Earth’s orbit
• eine geostationäre Umlaufbahn ↗ — a geostationary orbit
• eine elliptische Umlaufbahn ↗ — an elliptical orbit
• die Erdumlaufbahn ↗ — Earth orbit or orbit around the Earth