giant planet

[ jahy-uhnt plan-it ]

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.

giant planet

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of giant planet¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

That would go a long way to affirming suspicions that when giant planets form, the process naturally creates gradients of material as opposed to clean and solid cores.

From MIT Technology Review

In this transitional zone, they also took on transitional forms, with a size and composition that places them halfway between gas giant planets like Jupiter and rocky planets like Earth.

From Nautilus

Those changes demonstrate that even tiny variations in solar energy can transform the weather of a giant planet, nearly four times the size of Earth.

From Nautilus

Personally, I think that somehow the giant planets grew by pebble accretion.

From Science News For Students

The new intel should help planetary scientists better understand not only how giant planets formed in our solar system but also the nature of such worlds orbiting other stars.

From Science News

A thin, bluish-grey arc of the giant planet overarched its western edge.

From Project Gutenberg

The invisible weight that pressed down was released as once more the giant planet's gravity was nullified.

From Project Gutenberg

Each of them must, therefore, have been near the giant planet at some moment during their past history.

From Project Gutenberg

The grim face of the giant planet was enswathed in endless billowing clouds.

From Project Gutenberg

Possibly a landing could be dared on that giant planet itself, despite its gravity.

From Project Gutenberg