planetary

adjective

plan·​e·​tary ˈpla-nə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce planetary (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, being, or resembling a planet
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

Examples of planetary in a Sentence

a positively planetary new shopping development
Recent Examples on the Web Collaborating, though, can unleash a new age of planetary intelligence and prosperity. Klaus Schwab, TIME, 23 Oct. 2024 The nature of the last universal common ancestor and its impact on the early Earth system Microbiologist who specializes in how impacts influence planetary habitability from Johns Hopkins' Applied Physics Laboratory. Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024 While The Road confronts us with the bleakness of planetary destruction, the sensory deprivation chamber in which Harpman holds her characters (and, therefore, readers) leaves no choice but to travel deep into our bodies. Hazlitt, 23 Oct. 2024 Astrology is a tool for gauging planetary and galactic temperatures. Lisa Stardust, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for planetary 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'planetary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of planetary was in 1607

Dictionary Entries Near planetary

Cite this Entry

“Planetary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/planetary. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

planetary

adjective
plan·​e·​tary ˈplan-ə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce planetary (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on planetary

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