dwarf planet

noun

: a celestial body that orbits the sun and has a spherical shape but is not large enough to disturb other objects from its orbit

Examples of dwarf planet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What planets will experience retrograde in December All of our solar system's planets, including Pluto, the dwarf planet, have retrograded this year. Carlie Procell, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2024 In fact, Pluto’s spin axis lies somewhere between the dwarf planet and Charon. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024 The dwarf planet of destruction and reinvention spent 14 years in Capricorn before beginning to tiptoe back and forth across the border to Aquarius last year. Jennifer Culp, Them, 1 Nov. 2024 Pluto, now classified as a dwarf planet along with Eris, is just one of the largest among the scores of icy bodies that exist there — and doesn’t dominate its own orbit and clear the orbit of other objects. Jacopo Prisco, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dwarf planet 

Word History

First Known Use

1993, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dwarf planet was in 1993

Dictionary Entries Near dwarf planet

Cite this Entry

“Dwarf planet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dwarf%20planet. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

dwarf planet

noun
: a celestial object similar to a planet but too small to clear other objects from its orbit
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!