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

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

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

She used telescopes to study near-Earth asteroids—those close enough to the edge of the asteroid belt that they could escape and come toward Earth!

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas