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

By combining telescope observations with detailed models of planetary interiors and atmospheres, they were able to infer what is happening deep inside the planet.

From Science Daily

It was "grounding", she said, "to make that connection to our planetary home".

From BBC

Their findings, recently published in PNAS, highlight an urgent need to better study, protect and appreciate insects and arachnids, which form a critical foundation for planetary health.

From Science Daily

In the early stages of a solar system, collisions between growing planetary bodies are common.

From Science Daily

Formed when ocean water freezes, Arctic sea ice melts naturally in summer and reforms in winter, but the amount that returns has been declining due to human-induced planetary warming.

From Barron's

Related Words

• global
• terrestrial