minor planet: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Scientific / Formal
Quick answer
What does “minor planet” mean?
A small celestial body orbiting the Sun, typically within the asteroid belt or beyond.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small celestial body orbiting the Sun, typically within the asteroid belt or beyond.
An astronomical term covering all small Solar System bodies that are not comets or planets, including asteroids, trans-Neptunian objects, and dwarf planets, but distinct from major planets.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. Usage is identical in professional astronomy.
Connotations
None beyond the scientific definition.
Frequency
Equal frequency in UK and US scientific/technical contexts. Rare in general discourse in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “minor planet” in a Sentence
The [adjective] minor planet [verb phrase, e.g., 'was discovered yesterday' or 'orbits between Mars and Jupiter'].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “minor planet” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The object was officially minor-planeted last year.
- Astronomers sought to minor planet the new discovery.
American English
- The object was officially classified as a minor planet.
- Astronomers worked to have the discovery designated a minor planet.
adjective
British English
- The minor-planet designation process is complex.
- He studies minor-planet orbital data.
American English
- The minor planet designation process is rigorous.
- She is a minor planet researcher.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in astronomy and planetary science texts and lectures to refer to non-planet, non-comet orbiting bodies, often in a historical context.
Everyday
Virtually unused. 'Asteroid' is the common term for public discourse.
Technical
Used in professional astronomical literature, particularly in discussion of classifications, orbital dynamics, and discovery catalogues.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “minor planet”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “minor planet”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “minor planet”
- Using 'minor planet' to refer to a moon (natural satellite).
- Using it interchangeably with 'dwarf planet' (which is a specific sub-category).
- Confusing it with 'meteor' or 'meteorite.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Often, but not always. 'Asteroid' typically refers to rocky minor planets within the inner Solar System, especially the belt between Mars and Jupiter. 'Minor planet' is a broader category that also includes icy bodies in the outer Solar System.
A dwarf planet (like Pluto) is a specific sub-class of minor planet that has enough mass to be rounded by its own gravity but has not cleared its orbital neighbourhood. All dwarf planets are minor planets, but not all minor planets are dwarf planets.
Yes, but primarily in technical and historical astronomical contexts. Since 2006, the official IAU categories are 'planet,' 'dwarf planet,' and 'small Solar System body,' but the term persists in catalogues and older literature.
Yes. Many minor planets, especially larger asteroids and trans-Neptunian objects, are known to have their own natural satellites or moons.
A small celestial body orbiting the Sun, typically within the asteroid belt or beyond.
Minor planet is usually technical / scientific / formal in register.
Minor planet: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmaɪnə ˈplæn.ɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmaɪ.nɚ ˈplæn.ɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None applicable”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MINOR' as in 'lesser' or 'smaller' + 'PLANET.' It's a planet-like object, but not major enough to be a full planet.
Conceptual Metaphor
A MINOR PLANET IS A LESSER SIBLING TO A MAJOR PLANET. (It shares family traits but lacks full status.)
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST example of a minor planet?