giant planet

American  

[jahy-uhnt plan-it] / ˈdʒaɪ ənt ˈplæn ɪt /

noun

Astronomy.

1. any of the four largest planets in our solar system, which in order of size, from the largest, are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

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giant planet British  

noun

1. any of the planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, characterized by large mass, low density, and an extensive atmosphere

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Etymology

Origin of giant planet

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

giant planet

It could be a giant planet, a brown dwarf, or an extremely low-mass star.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 24, 2026

The system is only 17 million years old and has a giant planet, HIP 67522 b, orbiting close to its star.

From Space Scoop ● Jul. 17, 2025

The dates suggested the impacts that shattered the parent objects happened startlingly early, most likely driven by a giant planet migration at 11 million years, just as the inner planets were finishing being formed.

From Science Magazine ● Apr. 16, 2024

The contrast in color will also make the pair visually impressive, with the silvery lunar glow next to the distinct yellow tint of the giant planet.

From National Geographic ● Dec. 6, 2023

Every evening before Voyager l’s encounter with Jupiter, I could see that giant planet twinkling in the sky, a sight our ancestors have enjoyed and wondered at for a million years.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan