The term "great circle route" refers to the shortest distance between two points on the surface of a sphere, such as the Earth. Other terms used to describe this route include "orthodrome," "geodesic," and "shortest distance route." Although these terms are often interchangeable, there are slight differences in their precise meanings. For example, "geodesic" specifically refers to the curve on a surface that minimizes distance between two points, while "shortest distance route" is a more general term that can refer to any method of traveling the shortest distance between two points. Regardless of the specific terminology used, the great circle route is often preferred for long-distance air and sea travel due to its efficiency and time-saving properties.