globe

globe — noun

1. the planet Earth, thought of as one complete space that contains all of the peop

1.nounB1
Definition

the planet Earth, thought of as one complete space that contains all of the people, countries, and natural features of the world.

Example

Yara dreams of traveling around the globe after she finishes university.

collocation: around the globe

Scientists from every part of the globe met in Geneva to discuss climate change.

collocation: every part of the globe

Common collocations
  • across the globe
  • around the globe
  • all over the globe
  • every corner of the globe
  • span the globe
Synonyms
  • earth

    more scientific or environmental in tone; refers to the physical planet

  • world

    most common and neutral; can also refer to human society rather than the physical planet

  • planet

    focuses on Earth as a celestial body among others in the solar system

Grammar Patterns

the globe

across the globe

around the globe

Usage Note

This sense almost always appears with a determiner such as 'the' or 'every'. It is the most common meaning of 'globe' in everyday English.

Common Mistakes

The globe is getting warmer each year.' (vague).
The planet is getting warmer each year.
'globe' here emphasises the whole world as a connected space; 'planet' is more natural for scientific statements about Earth.

2. a spherical model of the Earth with a world map on its surface, typically fitted

2.nounB1
Definition

a spherical model of the Earth with a world map on its surface, typically fitted to a base that allows it to be turned by hand.

Example

The teacher asked Sumin to point to Japan on the classroom globe.

collocation: on the globe

Nicholas spun the globe and stopped it with one finger on Brazil.

collocation: spin the globe

Common collocations
  • classroom globe
  • spin the globe
  • globe stand
  • on the globe
  • mini globe
Synonyms
  • world map

    flat, not spherical; different physical form

  • sphere

    general term for a round object; does not specifically have a map

  • model of the earth

    more formal and descriptive; not a common single-word alternative

Grammar Patterns

on the globe

turn/spin the globe

classroom globe

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense refers to a physical object you can touch and hold, not to the planet itself.

Common Mistakes

She bought a new globe for her living room' — unclear if meaning an ornament or a world map globe.
She bought a new classroom globe for her geography lessons.
add context to avoid confusion with other senses.

3. any object that is perfectly round in shape, like a ball.

3.nounB2
Definition

any object that is perfectly round in shape, like a ball.

Example

The glass globe of the street lamp shattered when a stone hit it.

collocation: glass globe

A small crystal globe filled with coloured water sat on the artist's windowsill.

Common collocations
  • glass globe
  • crystal globe
  • wooden globe
  • globe of light
Synonyms
  • ball

    more common and everyday; less formal

  • sphere

    technical or geometric term for a perfectly round three-dimensional shape

  • orb

    literary or poetic; often used for celestial bodies or glowing objects

Grammar Patterns

a globe of + noun

glass globe

Usage Note

This sense is more formal or literary than simply saying 'ball'. It often describes decorative or architectural objects, or things made of glass or metal.

4. the glass part of an electric lamp that produces light when electricity passes t

4.nounC1
Definition

the glass part of an electric lamp that produces light when electricity passes through it; used in Australian English.

Example

Obi had to replace a light globe in the kitchen ceiling fan.

regional: Australian English

The light globe in the hallway stopped working, so Quinn changed it.

Common collocations
  • light globe
  • LED light globe
  • replace a light globe
  • screw in a light globe
Synonyms
  • light bulb

    standard term in British, American, and most other varieties of English

  • bulb

    shorter, everyday term for a light bulb

Grammar Patterns

light globe

change a light globe

Usage Note

This term is standard in Australian and New Zealand English. In other varieties of English, 'light bulb' is the usual term.

Common Mistakes

The light globe exploded' — this may be understood locally but could confuse readers from other regions.
The light bulb exploded
use 'light bulb' for international English.
Idioms

globe-trotter

idiom

a person who travels to many different countries around the world.

Élise is a real globe-trotter — she has visited over forty countries since she started teaching English.

globe-trotting

idiom

the activity of travelling to many different countries; also used as an adjective to describe someone who travels widely.

Her globe-trotting lifestyle means she spends more time in airports than in her own apartment.

globe — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words can refer to the same physical object — the planet we live on — but they differ in tone and typical context. 'World' is the most general and neutral term; it appears in both everyday speech ('the whole world watched') and abstract expressions ('the business world', 'world peace'). 'Earth' has a stronger scientific or environmental feel ('protect the Earth', 'Earth's atmosphere') and is often capitalised when treated as a proper noun. 'Planet' is the most technical of the four; it classifies Earth as one celestial body among others ('the third planet from the sun'). 'Globe' emphasises the Earth as a complete, interconnected space, which is why it often appears in contexts of travel, communication, and global awareness ('across the globe', 'span the globe'). In writing, you might say 'people around the world' for a neutral statement, 'people around the globe' to stress global scale, or 'the Earth' when discussing environmental issues.

world ↗earth ↗planet ↗globe ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • globe map
  • globe stand
  • globe theatre

Phrases

  • every corner of the globe
  • from every part of the globe
  • span the globe

Prepositions

  • across the globe
  • around the globe
  • all over the globe

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'globe' comes from Latin 'globus', meaning a round mass or sphere. It entered English through Old French 'globe' during the 14th century. The meaning 'the planet Earth' developed in the 16th century, based on the observation that the Earth is round like a sphere. The use of 'globe' as a verb — 'to form into a globe' — appeared later, around the 17th century.