軌道(きどう)

きどう
noun
orbit; trajectory; track
1. orbit, trajectory
The curved path of a celestial body or spacecraft around another object due to gravity.
地球(ちきゅう)は太陽(たいよう)の周(まわ)りを軌道(きどう)に沿(そ)って回(まわ)っている。
Earth revolves around the sun along its orbit.
人工衛星(じんこうえいせい)を軌道(きどう)に乗(の)せることに成功(せいこう)した。
They succeeded in putting the artificial satellite into orbit.
2. track, rail
The rails on which trains or trams run.
路面電車(ろめんでんしゃ)の軌道(きどう)が道路(どうろ)の真(ま)ん中(なか)を走(はし)っている。
The tram tracks run down the middle of the road.
3. course, path
Figuratively, the expected or proper course of action or development.
プロジェクトはようやく軌道(きどう)に乗(の)った。
The project has finally gotten on track.

USAGE: 軌道(きどう) has both literal (astronomy/transportation) and figurative uses.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 軌道(きどう)に乗(の)る (to get into orbit; to get on track)
  • 軌道(きどう)に乗(の)せる (to put into orbit; to set on the right track)
  • 軌道(きどう)を外(はず)れる (to go off orbit/track)
  • 軌道(きどう)修正(しゅうせい) (course correction)

SCIENTIFIC TERMS:

  • 円軌道(えんきどう) - circular orbit
  • 楕円軌道(だえんきどう) - elliptical orbit
  • 静止軌道(せいしきどう) - geostationary orbit

IDIOMATIC EXPRESSION: 軌道(きどう)に乗(の)る is frequently used figuratively to mean that a project, business, or effort has reached a stable, successful state.

general
Added 2026.1.17 20:26 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06000/06360_kidou