An orb is a perfectly round, sphere-shaped object, especially one that seems to glow or shine. The word often describes celestial bodies: astronomers might call the moon a “silver orb” or describe planets as orbs moving through space. In fantasy stories and games, magical orbs often contain power or knowledge, glowing with mysterious light.

The word carries a sense of smoothness and completeness. A marble is an orb. A soap bubble floating through the air is an orb. The word orb feels more formal and poetic than simply saying “ball” or “sphere.” When a writer describes the sun as a “blazing orb,” they're emphasizing its perfect roundness and brilliant light.

In medieval times, kings and queens sometimes carried decorated orbs as symbols of royal power, representing their rule over the whole world. You might see these golden orbs in paintings of coronations or in museums displaying royal regalia.

The word can also be a verb meaning to form into a sphere, though this usage is rare and mostly appears in poetry: tears orbing in her eyes before they fall.