globe

/gloʊb/
/gləʊb/
IPA guide

Other forms: globes

A globe doesn't have to be a spherical representation of our planet; it can be anything shaped like one — like a soccer ball or a gumball.

Referring to a round shape, globe is often used interchangeably with sphere, though sphere has another meaning of an area of particular interest or a segment of a particular population. Globe is also another name for planet Earth itself, our lovely third rock from the sun — as in "viewers are tuning in from around the globe."

Definitions of globe
  1. noun
    an object with a spherical shape
    synonyms: ball, orb
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    types:
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    crystal ball
    a glass or crystal globe used in crystal gazing by fortunetellers
    camphor ball, mothball
    a small sphere of camphor or naphthalene used to keep moths away from stored clothing
    time-ball
    a ball that slides down a staff to show a fixed time; especially at an observatory
    fireball
    the luminous center of a nuclear explosion
    fireball
    a ball of fire (such as the sun or a ball-shaped discharge of lightning)
    globule
    a small globe or ball
    spherule
    a small sphere
    pellet
    a small sphere
    bolus
    a small round soft mass (as of chewed food)
    bubble
    a hollow globule of gas (e.g., air or carbon dioxide)
    type of:
    sphere
    a solid figure bounded by a spherical surface (including the space it encloses)
  2. noun
    a sphere on which a map (especially of the earth) is represented
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    types:
    celestial globe
    a globe that is a spherical model of the heavens
    armilla, armillary sphere
    a celestial globe consisting of metal hoops; used by early astronomers to determine the positions of stars
    type of:
    model, simulation
    a representation of something (sometimes on a smaller scale)
    sphere
    any spherically shaped artifact
  3. noun
    the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
    synonyms: Earth, earth, world
    see moresee less
    example of:
    terrestrial planet
    a planet having a compact rocky surface like the Earth's; the four innermost planets in the solar system
Pronunciation
US
/gloʊb/
UK
/gləʊb/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘globe'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing globe

The Monroe Doctrine (1823)

The Monroe Doctrine was a speech given by President James Monroe in December 1823. A doctrine is a rule or principle, so the title means Monroe’s principle. This principle states that the United States promises to respect any colonies already held by European powers in the Americas but will not permit any new colonies to be taken. In return the United States promises not to seek any colonies in Europe. At the time the U.S. was a weak nation and the doctrine was largely ignored. Later, however, when the U.S. became a world power, it was used to prevent European nations from taking over countries in Latin America.

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Learn these words from the social science article by Beth Geiger (Inside: Level A, Unit 2). Here are our links to the selections of "Water for Life": The Secret Water, How Do We Use Water?, Water at Work, Irrigation Pumps Can Save Poor Farmers Here are our links to the units of Level A: Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Unit 4, Unit 5, Unit 6, Unit 7, Unit 8 Here are our links to the Inside books: Level A, Level B, Level C Here is our link to a list of academic vocabulary for Inside: Academic Vocabulary

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