asteroid
3 synonyms and 0 antonyms for asteroid, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A rocky body, smaller than a planet, that orbits the sun, mostly found in the belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use asteroid
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Coined in 1802 by astronomer William Herschel from Greek asteroeidēs, "star-like," from astḗr ("star").
Full origin of asteroid →Frequently asked questions
What does “asteroid” mean?
The word “asteroid” means a rocky body, smaller than a planet, that orbits the sun, mostly found in the belt between Mars and Jupiter. In plain terms, a small rocky object in space that orbits the sun, too small to count as a planet.
How do you pronounce “asteroid”?
“Asteroid” is pronounced AST-royd (/ˈæst(ə)ɹɔɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “asteroid” in a sentence?
Here is “asteroid” used in a sentence: “Scientists are tracking an asteroid that will pass close to Earth next year.”
What part of speech is “asteroid”?
“Asteroid” is a noun.
Where does the word “asteroid” come from?
The word “asteroid” dates back to around 1802 and comes from Greek. Coined in 1802 by astronomer William Herschel from Greek asteroeidēs, "star-like," from astḗr ("star").
Is “asteroid” a common word?
“Asteroid” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between an asteroid and a planet?
An asteroid is a rocky body smaller than a planet that orbits the sun, while a planet is a much larger body that has cleared its orbital path of other debris. Asteroids are mostly found concentrated in a belt between Mars and Jupiter, unlike planets which have distinct, cleared orbits.
What is the difference between an asteroid and a comet?
An asteroid is a rocky body, whereas a comet is typically composed of ice and dust that vaporizes to form a visible tail as it nears the sun. Asteroids are mostly found in the belt between Mars and Jupiter, while comets often follow much longer, more elliptical orbits.
Where are most asteroids located in the solar system?
Most asteroids are found in the asteroid belt, a region between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. This is where the majority of these rocky bodies smaller than a planet orbit the sun.