solar system

noun

: the sun together with the group of celestial bodies that are held by its attraction and revolve around it

also : a similar system centered on another star

Examples of solar system in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In contrast, eclipses on the other planets in our solar system are almost always either too small to cover the sun or so large that the ring of fire and corona are hidden. —Adam Frank, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2024

The far side of the moon, for example, is one of the most radio-silent places in our solar system, as radio transmissions and interference from Earth are blocked. —Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024

Long believed to be the ninth planet in our solar system, Pluto's planetary status was downgraded to a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union in 2006. —Brenna Gauchat, The Arizona Republic, 26 Mar. 2024

Similarly, the music on the album came from experimentation within Neubauten’s own solar system. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2024

Enceladus Jupiter's 92 moons include Io, Europa, and Ganymede, the largest moon in our solar system. —Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 7 Mar. 2024

Now, astronomers are thinking about lightning on planets beyond the solar system–and its effects on the signs of life on those planets. —Popular Science, 7 Mar. 2024

For these reasons, scientists are keen to explore under the surface of our solar system’s icy moons, which are home to subglacial bodies of water. —IEEE Spectrum, 4 Mar. 2024

Sometimes the child who can tell you everything there is to know about dinosaurs or baseball statistics or the solar system grows up to be a groundbreaking scientist or a brilliant entrepreneur. —Paul Tough, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1704, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

solar system

noun

: a star with the group of heavenly bodies that revolve around it

especially : the sun with the planets, moons, asteroids, and comets that orbit it