planet

/ˈplænət/

/ˈplænɪt/

Other forms: planets

A planet is a celestial body that revolves around a star. In our solar system, Earth is the third planet from the sun.

The word planet comes from the Greek planetes, which means "wanderer." Since ancient times, people have been fascinated by the wandering of celestial bodies in the night sky. If a variety of factors come together so that something works out well for you, you can say that the planets aligned. You parents weren't sure if your family was going to be able to go on vacation, but then the planets aligned and off to Florida you were.

Definitions of planet

1. noun

   (astronomy) any of the nine large celestial bodies in the solar system that revolve around the sun and shine by reflected light; Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto in order of their proximity to the sun; viewed from the constellation Hercules, all the planets rotate around the sun in a counterclockwise direction
   synonyms: major planet

   examples:

   evening star

   a planet (usually Venus) seen at sunset in the western sky

   types:

   inferior planet

   any of the planets whose orbit lies inside the earth's orbit

   Jovian planet, gas giant

   any of the four outermost planets in the solar system; much larger than Earth and gaseous in nature (like Jupiter)

   Lucifer, Phosphorus, daystar, morning star

   a planet (usually Venus) seen just before sunrise in the eastern sky

   outer planet

   (astronomy) a major planet whose orbit is outside the asteroid belt (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto)

   superior planet

   any of the planets whose orbit lies outside the earth's orbit

   terrestrial planet

   a planet having a compact rocky surface like the Earth's; the four innermost planets in the solar system

   type of:

   celestial body, heavenly body

   a natural object visible in the sky
2. noun

   any celestial body (other than comets or satellites) that revolves around a star
   type of:

   celestial body, heavenly body

   a natural object visible in the sky
3. noun

   a person who follows or serves another
   synonyms: satellite

   type of:

   follower

   a person who accepts the leadership of another