ice giant

American  

[ahys jahy-uhnt] / ˈaɪs ˌdʒaɪ ənt /

noun

Astronomy.

1. a giant planet composed mostly of elements heavier than hydrogen and helium: the two ice giants in our solar system are Uranus and Neptune, previously classified as gas giants, but now known to be made primarily of oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur.

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Etymology

Origin of ice giant

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ice giant

Scientists also think diamonds may form and fall like rain far beneath the surfaces of ice giant planets such as Neptune and Uranus.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 20, 2026

"The ice giant classification is oversimplified as Uranus and Neptune are still poorly understood," says Luca Morf, PhD student at the University of Zurich and lead author of the work.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 10, 2025

“The three newly discovered moons are the faintest ever found around these two ice giant planets using ground-based telescopes,” said Scott S. Sheppard, astronomer at the Carnegie Institution for Science, in a statement.

From Salon ● Feb. 28, 2024

But a study has discovered that the two ice giant planets are both similar shades of greenish blue.

From BBC ● Jan. 5, 2024

She is borne away by the cruel ice giant Thiassi, who represents the boar which slew Adonis, the kidnapper of Proserpine, or the poisonous serpent which bit Eurydice.

From Myths of the Norsemen From the Eddas and Sagas by H. A. (Hélène Adeline) Guerber