planetary

American  

[plan-i-ter-ee] / ˈplæn ɪˌtɛr i /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a planet or the planets.

2. wandering; erratic.

3. terrestrial; global.

4. Machinery.  noting or pertaining to an epicyclic gear train in which a sun gear is linked to one or more planet gears also engaging with an encircling ring gear.

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noun

1. Machinery.  a planetary gear train.

planetary British  

/ ˈplænɪtərɪ, -trɪ /

adjective

1. of or relating to a planet

2. mundane; terrestrial

3. wandering or erratic

4. astrology under the influence of one of the planets

5. (of a gear, esp an epicyclic gear) having an axis that rotates around that of another gear

6. (of an electron) having an orbit around the nucleus of an atom

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noun

1. a train of planetary gears

Other Word Forms

• nonplanetary adjective

Etymology

Origin of planetary

From the Latin word planētārius, dating back to 1585–95. See planet, -ary

Example Sentences

Each element provides information about a different stage in planetary development.

From Science Daily

"We discovered that deep faults can heal themselves within hours," said Amanda Thomas, professor of earth and planetary sciences at UC Davis and corresponding author on the paper.

From Science Daily

Scientists think that these changes have to do with the planetary waves.

From Space Scoop

With further observations of many such star systems, astronomers are looking forward to understanding how energy flows during a planet-star meet and greet, how common these interactions are and how they change planetary atmospheres.

From Space Scoop

"This work is a great example of how combining planetary science, geodynamics and mineral physics can help us solve some of Earth's oldest mysteries," said Jie Deng of Princeton University, a co-author of the study.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• global
• terrestrial