asteroid belt

[ as-tuh-roid belt ]

/ ˈæs təˌrɔɪd ˌbɛlt /

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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.

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Origin of asteroid belt

First recorded in 1865–70

Words nearby asteroid belt

asterisk, asterism, astern, asternal, asteroid, asteroid belt, Asteroidea, asteroidean, Asteropaeus, aster yellows, as the crow flies

How to use asteroid belt in a sentence

The team believes it may have been formed in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, but got knocked out by the gravitational pulls of different planets that brought it eventually to its current orbit.
This speedy space rock is the fastest asteroid in our solar system|Hannah Seo|August 24, 2021|Popular-Science
Located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, Ceres was considered a planet after its 1801 discovery, too.
The definition of planet is still a sore point – especially among Pluto fans|Lisa Grossman|August 24, 2021|Science News
It’s often said that Ceres was demoted after astronomers found the rest of the bodies in the asteroid belt.
The definition of planet is still a sore point – especially among Pluto fans|Lisa Grossman|August 24, 2021|Science News
Much of the rest probably derive from collisions of objects in the asteroid belt.
Earth sweeps up 5,200 tons of extraterrestrial dust each year|Sid Perkins|April 15, 2021|Science News

Astronomically speaking, most of the stuff that bashes Earth comes from close by, in the inner part of the asteroid belt, the closest source of loose objects.
Comets Are More Dangerous Than We Thought - Issue 98: Mind|Sean Raymond|March 10, 2021|Nautilus
The Asteroid Belt in the Solar System has many such gaps, created by the gravity of the Sun and Jupiter.
The Most Stunning View Ever of Planets Being Born|Matthew R. Francis|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A majority of these meteorites comes from collisions in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
New York City Stages Largest Meteorite Auction Ever|Lizzie Crocker|October 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The company was a blue-chip mining operation working the beryllium-rich asteroid belt out of San Francisco.
The Love of Frank Nineteen|David Carpenter Knight
The blond-haired cadet left the room, and Strong wearily turned back to study the chart of the search in the asteroid belt.
On the Trail of the Space Pirates|Carey Rockwell
Tom quickly glanced around to locate his position by the stars and saw that he was close to the asteroid belt.
On the Trail of the Space Pirates|Carey Rockwell
We're too near the asteroid belt to use the Polaris without radar, so we'll search in jet boats.
On the Trail of the Space Pirates|Carey Rockwell
Repeatedly, ships were attacked on the fringe of the asteroid belt and stripped of armor, food supplies, and valuables.
On the Trail of the Space Pirates|Carey Rockwell

Cultural definitions for asteroid belt

asteroid belt

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