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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
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Cite this Entry
“Dwarf planet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dwarf%20planet. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
dwarf planet
noun
: a celestial object similar to a planet but too small to clear other objects from its orbit
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