dwarf planet

noun

: a celestial body that orbits the sun and has a spherical shape but is not large enough to disturb other objects from its orbit

Examples of dwarf planet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One of the remnants is estimated to be no larger than the size of the average solar system asteroid, while the other is estimated to be between the size of the moon and the dwarf planet Pluto. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Sign Up for Our Free Daily Newsletter Congratulations to Pluto, Ceres, Eris, Haumea and Makemake—there may be a new sibling to welcome into the dwarf planet family. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2026

Rings are now known around another body from the same category as Chariklo, called Chiron, the dwarf planet Haumea, and the trans-Neptunian object Quaoar. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 19 Sep. 2026

Today, Pluto remains a dwarf planet under the IAU's definition; however, the debate has never fully gone away. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1993, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dwarf planet

• intranet
• gannet
• granite
• pomegranate

Kids Definition

dwarf planet

noun

: a celestial object similar to a planet but too small to clear other objects from its orbit