celestial body

noun

variants or less commonly celestial object

plural celestial bodies also celestial objects

: an aggregation of matter in the universe (such as a planet, star, or nebula) that can be considered as a single unit (as for astronomical study)

But many scientists began seriously rethinking their notions of the solar system in 1992, when we identified a small celestial body—just a few hundred kilometers across—sited farther from the sun than any of the known planets.

—Jane X. Luu et al.

As the observer looks at a star or other celestial body its light rays pass through a single point on the earth's surface.

—Dutton's Navigation and Piloting, 14th edition

A black hole forms when a star or other celestial object collapses under the pull of its own gravity.

—Mary Durack Miller

called also heavenly body

Examples of celestial body in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Pokédex describes how Umbreon's genetic structure is changed by lunar energy, reinforcing its bond with the celestial body. —Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2025

The celestial body is estimated to be between 130 and 300 feet wide and is expected to swing close to Earth on Dec. 22, 2032. —Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 18 Feb. 2025

However, the artificial objects that can change their orbits, are traveling far from Earth or approach our planet decades after launching into distant space can be more difficult to differentiate from natural celestial bodies. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Jan. 2025

It is regarded as a significant and auspicious day for Hindus due to a rare alignment of celestial bodies after 144 years. —Jon Haworth, ABC News, 29 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for celestial body

• passamaquoddy
• afterbody
• antibody
• busybody
• everybody
• autoantibody
• bawdy
• gaudy
• khadi
• mahdi
• noddy
• oddi