dwarf planet

noun

: a celestial body that orbits the sun and has a spherical shape but is not large enough to disturb other objects from its orbit

Examples of dwarf planet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Fast-Mover Launched in 2006, New Horizons is famous for its flyby of Pluto in 2015, the first time the dwarf planet had been imaged close-up. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 Scientists occasionally refer to Charon and Pluto as a double dwarf planet system. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024 The demotion of Pluto to dwarf planet classification incited heated debate among scientists, as well as everyday space lovers around the world, including kids learning about the solar system in schools. Brian Anthony Hernandez, Peoplemag, 14 Sep. 2024 That includes Pluto, which was reclassified as a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union in 2006 but is also known as a Kuiper Belt object (KBO). Jamie Carter, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dwarf planet 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dwarf planet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1993, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dwarf planet was in 1993

Dictionary Entries Near dwarf planet

Cite this Entry

“Dwarf planet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dwarf%20planet. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

dwarf planet

noun
: a celestial object similar to a planet but too small to clear other objects from its orbit
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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