Pluto

noun

Plu·​to ˈplü-(ˌ)tō How to pronounce Pluto (audio)
1
: the Greek god of the underworld compare dis
2
[New Latin] : a dwarf planet occupying an orbit that crosses the orbit of Neptune
Is Pluto a planet?: Usage Guide

In 2006 the International Astronomical Union defined planet in such a way as to exclude Pluto, reclassifying it instead as a dwarf planet. Although discussion of the matter continues, the change has been widely accepted.

Examples of Pluto in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Direct-to-Consumer Paramount+ Pluto TV BET+ A buyer may opt to bid for not just the TV media assets but also the DTC business: Paramount+ (now with Showtime), Pluto TV and BET+. Jennifer Maas, Variety, 22 Mar. 2024 Both are in interstellar space and are the only spacecraft ever to operate beyond the heliosphere, the sun’s bubble of magnetic fields and particles that extends well beyond the orbit of Pluto. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 Various studies have looked at the way MOND might influence the orbits of distant objects, like Pluto or indeed, the Pioneer and Voyager spacecraft, but without encouraging results. The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 11 Mar. 2024 Watch Whiskey Tango Foxtrot on Pluto TV The Legend of Tarzan In 2016, Robbie played Jane Clayton in a modern retelling of the classic 1912 story Tarzan of the Apes. Keith Langston, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 In the comedy-drama Breakfast on Pluto, Murphy plays Kitten, a young transgender woman coming of age in Northern Ireland in the late 1970s. Danny Horn, EW.com, 7 Mar. 2024 As the moon and Pluto harmonize, getting to the bottom of a relationship issue is key. USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2024 The show will be broadcast from the 23,500-capacity multi-purpose arena to more than 150 countries and air in a number of territories on Pluto TV and on-demand on Paramount+. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 29 Feb. 2024 The direct-to-consumer division saw advertising revenue rise 14 percent to $526 million on growth from Paramount+ and Pluto TV, and subscription revenue grew 43 percent to $1.33 billion. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Latin Pluton-, Pluto, from Greek Ploutōn

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Pluto was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near Pluto

Cite this Entry

“Pluto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Pluto. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Pluto

noun
Plu·​to ˈplüt-ō How to pronounce Pluto (audio)
: a large object in the outermost part of the solar system that is often considered one of the planets see note at planet

More from Merriam-Webster on Pluto

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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