terrestrial planet

American  

[tuh-res-tree-uhl plan-it] / təˈrɛs tri əl ˈplæn ɪt /

noun

Astronomy.

1. a planet composed mostly of metals or silica rocks: in our solar system, the terrestrial planets are the four inner planets.

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terrestrial planet Scientific  

1. See inner planet

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Etymology

Origin of terrestrial planet

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

"This teaches us a lot about the extremes of how much energy can be pumped into a terrestrial planet, and the consequences of that," Kane said.

From Science Daily • May 9, 2024

It is interesting when you think about it that we are the only terrestrial planet with a big moon.

From Salon • Oct. 13, 2019

Until now geophysicists have really only studied one active terrestrial planet up close—Earth.

From Scientific American • Nov. 14, 2017

Anglada-Escudé and his colleagues estimate that Proxima b is at least 1.3 times as big as Earth and is most likely a terrestrial planet, with a surface.

From The New Yorker • Aug. 24, 2016

Nevertheless, it considers itself the only really polite and enlightened community on the whole face of this evolving terrestrial planet.

From The Beckoning Hand and Other Stories by Allen, Grant