planetary
adjective
plan·e·tary
ˈpla-nə-ˌter-ē 
1
2
a
: of, relating to, or belonging to the earth : terrestrial
3
: having or consisting of an epicyclic train of gear wheels
Synonyms of planetary
Examples of planetary in a Sentence
a positively planetary new shopping development
Recent Examples on the Web
Staring up at a nearly six-story-tall screen, witnessing a unique planetary event, itself the product of a remarkable cosmic coincidence, unique to our place and position within the solar system, is an exceptional experience.
—
Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2026
In the 1960s, some planetary scientists proposed that craters at the south pole of the moon, where the angle of the sun is so shallow that parts of the interior of the craters' are rendered in permanent shadow, could be cold enough to host water-ice.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2026
This likely provides a pathway — particularly in dense, matter-rich environments like those found in protoplanetary disks — to building up planetary and lunar systems around stars.
—Big Think, 14 Apr. 2026
The Kent Kresa Space Gallery will feature a wide array of spacecraft, planetary probes, telescopes and more.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for planetary
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2026
In the 1960s, some planetary scientists proposed that craters at the south pole of the moon, where the angle of the sun is so shallow that parts of the interior of the craters' are rendered in permanent shadow, could be cold enough to host water-ice.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2026
This likely provides a pathway — particularly in dense, matter-rich environments like those found in protoplanetary disks — to building up planetary and lunar systems around stars.
—Big Think, 14 Apr. 2026
The Kent Kresa Space Gallery will feature a wide array of spacecraft, planetary probes, telescopes and more.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for planetary
Cite this Entry
“Planetary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/planetary. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
planetary
adjective
plan·e·tary
ˈplan-ə-ˌter-ē
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
