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

"The path traced back to low in the asteroid belt."

From Science Daily ● Aug. 8, 2026

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

With Mars now behind it, Psyche will resume using its solar-electric propulsion system to continue toward the asteroid belt.

From Science Daily ● May 26, 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

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