asteroid belt

American  

[as-tuh-roid belt] / ˈæs təˌrɔɪd ˌbɛlt /

noun

Astronomy.

1. the region in space between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, containing the greatest population of asteroids in our solar system: comprising about half the mass of the asteroid belt are its four largest asteroids, namely, Ceres, Pallas, Vesta, and Hygieia.

---

asteroid belt Cultural  

1. A region of the solar system between the orbits of the planets Mars and Jupiter. Most asteroids are found in the asteroid belt.

---

Etymology

Origin of asteroid belt

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

asteroid belt

It may have come from a distant region of the outer Solar System filled with rocky debris, or from the outer part of the asteroid belt near Jupiter.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 19, 2026

Although the lunar evidence pointed to an impact surge, researchers still needed to identify a realistic event in the asteroid belt that could have produced it.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 18, 2026

Many asteroids currently found near Earth are believed to have escaped from the asteroid belt through the J3:1 region.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 18, 2026

The maneuver sends Psyche on a direct route toward its target in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

From Science Daily ● May 26, 2026

Day 475 We safely emerge from the main asteroid belt, happy to have survived.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan