suborbital

adjective

sub·​or·​bit·​al ˌsəb-ˈȯr-bə-tᵊl 

1

: situated beneath the eye or the orbit of the eye

2

: being or involving less than one orbit (as of the earth or moon)

also : intended for suborbital flight

Examples of suborbital in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Blue Origin just launched a first-of-its kind mission to suborbital space. —Mike Wall, Space.com, 4 Feb. 2025

New Shepard has set the bar for suborbital space tourism. —Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 27 Jan. 2025

Billionaire and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos created Blue Origin back in 2000, but has to date only launched the smaller suborbital New Shepard rockets from its facilities in West Texas. —Richard Tribou Orlando Sentinel (tns), arkansasonline.com, 13 Jan. 2025

Its suborbital launch system, New Shepard, has flown 28 missions. —Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 27 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

suborbital

adjective

sub·​or·​bit·​al ˌsəb-ˈȯr-bət-ᵊl 

: situated or occurring beneath the eye or the orbit of the eye

suborbital fat