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

The findings come from Juno's microwave radiometer, an instrument that has been studying Jupiter's atmosphere since the spacecraft entered orbit around the giant planet in 2016.

From Science Daily ● May 21, 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