planetary

adjective

plan·e·tary | \ ˈpla-nə-ˌter-ē

Definition of planetary

1a : 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

2a : 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 & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about planetary

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Examples of planetary in a Sentence

a positively planetary new shopping development

Recent Examples on the Web

The other chapters are topical and somewhat scientific, covering in sequence the tools for telling time; the mode and tempo of planetary processes; the longue durée of earth history; the role of geology in climate change. — Robert M. Thorson, WSJ, "‘Timefulness’ Review: Thinking in Eons," 30 Dec. 2018 There are these planetary probes, there’s the Hubble Telescope, there’s a ... — Eric Johnson, Recode, "Full Q&A: Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Recode Decode," 2 Nov. 2018 At the same time, Jupiter may have hurled material inward as well, crashing hydrogen-rich asteroids and planetary embryos, or planetesimals, into crowded young terrestrial planets. — Nola Taylor Redd, Smithsonian, "How Jupiter May Have Gifted Early Earth With Water," 20 June 2018 That includes planetary flybys dating back to the early 1960s, as well as orbiters and landers. — Marcia Dunn, The Seattle Times, "Mars revisited: NASA spacecraft days away from risky landing," 21 Nov. 2018 The seismic waves from these wobbles will help planetary scientists decode the structure of Mars’ interior, similar to how ultrasounds show us what’s inside a person’s body. — Loren Grush, The Verge, "Hanging out at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory," 27 Nov. 2018 Metzger said of the IAU definition that removed Pluto’s planetary title. — Janay Moore, Teen Vogue, "Pluto Should Be a Planet Again According to These Scientists," 11 Sep. 2018 Just a few hours after Venus goes direct, Mercury (your planetary ruler) goes retrograde. — Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, "What November's Gemini Horoscope Means for You," 28 Oct. 2018 Are space elevators the future of extra-planetary travel? — Colin Stuart, WSJ, "Will Elevators to Outer Space Ever Get Off the Ground?," 20 Sep. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'planetary.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.