English dictionary · noun

asteroid

A naturally occurring solid object, which is smaller than a planet and a dwarf planet, larger than a meteoroid and not a comet, that orbits a star and often has an irregular shape.

Meaning and definitions

1. A naturally occurring solid object, which is smaller than a planet and a dwarf planet, larger than a meteoroid and not a comet, that orbits a star and often has an irregular shape.
2. In the Solar System, such a body that orbits within the orbit of Jupiter.

Connected roots

• astr-

  star

Explore the word family

These words share a recorded root connection. A shared root is a learning clue; it does not establish every step in a word’s history.

• astronomy

  the scientific study of celestial objects and the universe

• astronaut

  a person trained to travel in a spacecraft

• astrology

  Divination about human affairs or natural phenomena from the relative positions of celestial bodies.

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