solar system

noun

: the sun together with the group of celestial bodies that are held by its attraction and revolve around it
also : a similar system centered on another star

Examples of solar system 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.
An Earth-sized planet in a star system very similar to our solar system may have an atmosphere after all, suggests new research using the James Webb Space Telescope. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024 If our solar system was located at the center of this remarkable cluster, our night sky would be full of hundreds of stars as bright as the full moon. Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 14 Dec. 2024 The finding could change the way astronomers understand moons dominated by subsurface global oceans in our solar system, such as Jupiter’s moon Europa and planets beyond our solar system. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024 When studying the outer planets of our solar system, there’s no solid ground. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for solar system 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1704, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of solar system was circa 1704

Dictionary Entries Near solar system

Cite this Entry

“Solar system.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solar%20system. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

solar system

noun
: a star with the group of heavenly bodies that revolve around it
especially : the sun with the planets, moons, asteroids, and comets that orbit it

More from Merriam-Webster on solar system

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!