English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
Login Flashcards
noun Uncommon

asteroid

AST-royd
Quiz me More like this

Asteroid (noun) means a rocky body, smaller than a planet, that orbits the sun, mostly found in the belt between Mars and Jupiter. Example: “Scientists are tracking an asteroid that will pass close to Earth next year.”

noun
1
A rocky body, smaller than a planet, that orbits the sun, mostly found in the belt between Mars and Jupiter.
"Scientists are tracking an asteroid that will pass close to Earth next year."
"The spacecraft was sent to collect samples from a distant asteroid."

How to use asteroid

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small rocky object in space that orbits the sun, too small to count as a planet.

Common mistake

An asteroid is rocky and stays mostly in orbit; a "comet" is icy and grows a tail near the sun; a "meteor" is the streak of light from a small object burning up in the atmosphere.

Easily confused with
comet → meteor →
Common pairings
asteroid belt asteroid impact
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like asteroid.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice

Word forms

Plural
asteroids
Test yourself on “asteroid” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Scientists are tracking an _____ that will pass close to Earth next year.

Etymology

Coined in 1802 by astronomer William Herschel from Greek asteroeidēs, "star-like," from astḗr ("star").

Origin: Greek · First attested 1802

Class of 1802 asteroid joined the language around 1802.
energy Svetlana unilateral
See the full Class of 1802 →

Synonyms

View more →
planetoid space rock minor planet

Related words

planetoid

Rhymes for asteroid

void geoid avoid hyoid droid devoid adenoid android tabloid steroid typhoid thyroid
See all rhymes for 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.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include asteroid:

Words with Greek origins

People also searched

planetoid