planetary

adjective

plan·​e·​tary ˈpla-nə-ˌter-ē 

1

a

: of, relating to, being, or resembling a planet

b

: erratic, wandering

c

: having a motion like that of a planet

planetary electrons

d

: immense

the scope of this project has reached planetary proportions

2

a

: of, relating to, or belonging to the earth : terrestrial

b

: global, worldwide

planetary politics

3

: having or consisting of an epicyclic train of gear wheels

Synonyms

• astronomical
• astronomic
• Brobdingnagian
• bumper
• colossal
• cosmic
• cosmical
• cyclopean
• elephantine
• enormous
• galactic
• gargantuan
• giant
• gigantesque
• gigantic
• grand
• herculean
• heroic
• heroical
• Himalayan
• huge
• humongous
• humungous
• immense
• jumbo
• king-size
• king-sized
• leviathan
• mammoth
• massive
• mega
• mighty
• monster
• monstrous
• monumental
• mountainous
• oceanic
• pharaonic
• prodigious
• super
• super-duper
• supersize
• supersized
• titanic
• tremendous
• vast
• vasty
• walloping
• whacking
• whopping

Examples of planetary in a Sentence

a positively planetary new shopping development

Recent Examples on the Web

The month begins on a mystical note as Venus joins forces with your numinous planetary ruler, Neptune, in your sign, bringing a wave of dreamy compassion and unconditional love to your personal and professional life. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025

According to Star Walk, another planetary parade will occur around Feb. 28, and all seven of the other planets in the solar system will be visible. —Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2025

Your planetary ruler, Jupiter, shifting direct in your home sector on the same day brings blessings to your family life or living situation over the next seven months. —Dossé-Via Trenou, refinery29.com, 28 Jan. 2025

There was planetary parade in June 2024 when six planets — Mercury, Jupiter, Uranus, Mars, Neptune and Saturn — all aligned. —Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing planetary

• planetary nebula
• planetary science

Kids Definition

planetary

adjective

plan·​e·​tary ˈplan-ə-ˌter-ē 

1

a

: of or relating to a planet

b

: having a motion like that of a planet

planetary electrons of the atomic nucleus

2

: worldwide, global

a matter of planetary concern