minor planet

American  

[mahy-ner plan-it] / ˈmaɪ nər ˈplæn ɪt /

noun

Astronomy.

1. asteroid.

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minor planet British  

noun

1. another name for asteroid

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minor planet Scientific  

/ mī′nər /

1. See asteroid

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Etymology

Origin of minor planet

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

But even the indulgent members of the minor planet community have their limits.

From Washington Post • Feb. 26, 2019

The trove of data collected will no doubt enhance everyone’s insight into the minor planet.

From Time • Apr. 15, 2015

In the meantime minor planet fans can look forward to another small-body landing attempt.

From Nature • Sep. 10, 2014

Shao Yifu, known worldwide as Run Run Shaw, was no minor planet.

From Time • Jan. 7, 2014

All those stars millions of light years away shilling down on me—me glued to a minor planet spinning around its own gigantic sum.

From "The Pigman" by Paul Zindel