planetary

adjective

plan·​e·​tary ˈpla-nə-ˌter-ē 

1

a

: of, relating to, being, or resembling a planet

b

: erratic, wandering

c

: having a motion like that of a planet

planetary electrons

d

: immense

the scope of this project has reached planetary proportions

2

a

: of, relating to, or belonging to the earth : terrestrial

b

: global, worldwide

planetary politics

3

: having or consisting of an epicyclic train of gear wheels

Synonyms

• giant
• vast
• huge
• gigantic
• astronomical
• tremendous
• enormous
• massive
• astronomic
• colossal
• mammoth
• bumper
• monumental
• immense
• cosmic
• titanic
• galactic
• mountainous
• oceanic
• monster
• monstrous

Examples of planetary in a Sentence

a positively planetary new shopping development

Recent Examples on the Web

Though not explicitly a text on permaculture, Mycelium Running is an excellent book about the power of fungi in agricultural restoration and in both planetary and human health. —Catherine Habgood september 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025

Taxonomists are instead working to preserve a planetary memory—an archive of life—and to decode which traits help creatures adapt, migrate, or otherwise survive in a rapidly changing climate. —Marion Renault, The Atlantic, 29 Sep. 2025

The Authority was created after StormWatch, a planetary defense force against aliens, was destroyed. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 27 Sep. 2025

Yet the authors argue that 2024 YR4 is a valuable case study for building planetary defense capabilities. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing planetary

• planetary nebula
• planetary science

Rhymes for planetary

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• beriberi
• breviary
• budgetary
• capillary
• catenary
• cautionary

Kids Definition

planetary

adjective

plan·​e·​tary ˈplan-ə-ˌter-ē 

1

a

: of or relating to a planet

b

: having a motion like that of a planet

planetary electrons of the atomic nucleus

2

: worldwide, global

a matter of planetary concern