planets Definition
celestial bodies that orbit around a star, are spherical in shape, and have cleared their orbits of other debris.
Using planets: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "planets" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The eight planets in our solar system are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
Example
Astronomers continue to discover new planets beyond our solar system.
Example
The study of planets and their properties is called planetary science.
planets Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for planets
- orbs
- celestial bodies
- heavenly bodies
Phrases with planets
a celestial body that orbits the sun, is spherical in shape, but has not cleared its orbit of other debris and is not considered a full-fledged planet
Example
Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006.
gas giant
a large planet composed mostly of gases, such as Jupiter or Saturn
Example
Jupiter is the largest gas giant in our solar system.
a planet that is primarily composed of rock or metal, such as Earth or Mars
Example
The four inner planets of our solar system are terrestrial planets.
Summary: planets in Brief
In astronomy, 'planets' [ˈplænɪts] are celestial bodies that orbit around a star, are spherical in shape, and have cleared their orbits of other debris. Our solar system has eight planets, including Earth, and astronomers continue to discover new planets beyond our system. Planets can be classified into types like 'dwarf planet,' 'gas giant,' and 'terrestrial planet.'
