planetary

adjective plan·e·tary \ ˈpla-nə-ˌter-ē \

Definition of planetary

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

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Examples of planetary in a Sentence

a positively planetary new shopping development

Recent Examples of planetary from the Web

Methane hydrate on the ocean floor could’ve broken down during the last major planetary warming trend, but it was likely eaten by microbes before reaching the surface, the scientists concluded.

— joshua emerson smith, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Methane "climate bomb" not likely according to new Scripps study," 24 Aug. 2017
At Paris Fashion Week last season, Karl Lagerfeld launched a literal rocket for the finale of his fall 2017 Chanel show, which featured cosmic prints, shimmering silver space boots, and planetary purses.

— emilia petrarca, The Cut, "Bill Nye the Science Guy on Fashion’s Obsession With Space," 21 Aug. 2017
Planetary scientist Dr. Renee Weber and other experts will be broadcasting from Orchardale Farms, a working farm with open acreage and elevated viewing.

— lee roop, AL.com, "2017 solar eclipse: What is NASA's plan to share it?," 15 Aug. 2017
The composer used Kepler's scales that the astronomer assigned to the planets in his theory relating music to planetary movement.

— janelle gelfand, Cincinnati.com, "Chamber Orchestra's celestial concert is out of this world," 15 Aug. 2017
One of the greatest obstacles to planetary science has always been the human life span: Typically, for instance, a direct flight to Neptune would take about 30 years.

— kim tingley, New York Times, "The Loyal EngineersSteering NASA’s VoyagerProbes Across the Universe," 3 Aug. 2017
Since Trump’s announcement last month that the U.S. would pull out of the Paris climate pact, Gore has been on a media blitz to reprise his role as the prophet of planetary doom.

— julie kelly, National Review, "Recycled Gore," 17 July 2017
That difference in metallicity probably explains the distinction in planetary size.

— The Economist, "PlanetologyMore ways to classify planets," 13 July 2017
Climate-change skeptics point out that the planet has warmed and cooled many times before, but the climate window that has allowed for human life is very narrow, even by the standards of planetary history.

— david wallace-wells, Daily Intelligencer, "When Will the Planet Be Too Hot For Humans? Much, Much Sooner Than You Imagine.," 9 July 2017

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.