inner planet

noun

: any of the planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars whose orbits are within the asteroid belt

Examples of inner planet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That’s because Jupiter acts as a shield for the inner planets of the solar system, including Earth. Benjamin Roulston, Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2024 Even during the solar system’s shooting-gallery phase, about four billion years ago, when accreted rubble was pounding the inner planets—the amount of material that fell to Earth was comparatively tiny. Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 30 Sep. 2024 As a red giant, the sun will likely evaporate the solar system’s inner planets such as Mercury and Venus, although Earth’s fate remains unclear, according to NASA. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 26 Feb. 2024 Kane’s analysis, published last month, shows that the growing star will engulf the three inner planets. Quanta Magazine, 20 Dec. 2023 See all Example Sentences for inner planet 

Word History

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inner planet was in 1951

Dictionary Entries Near inner planet

Cite this Entry

“Inner planet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inner%20planet. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.

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