asteroid belt

American

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

noun

Astronomy.

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

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

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See Examples For:

asteroid belt

It is currently "sitting safely out in the asteroid belt and just going around the Sun, just like we are", he explained.

From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2026

That places the impact around 100 million years before a major increase in cratering on Earth that researchers have suggested may be connected to collisions within the asteroid belt.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 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

Donaldjohanson has remained in the asteroid belt since its formation, while Bennu and Ryugu eventually migrated into near-Earth orbits that periodically bring them close to our planet.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 25, 2026

The rings of Saturn bear some resemblance to the asteroid belt: trillions of tiny icy moonlets orbiting the planet.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023