planet

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A large round object in space that moves around a star and does not make its own light.

   Grammar: Countable: use 'a planet' or 'planets'; names of planets take no article, e.g. 'Mars is a planet.'

   Patterns

   • a planet in the solar system
   • the planet Mars
   • orbit a planet
   • discover a planet

   Earth is the third planet from the Sun.

   Scientists have found a new planet orbiting a distant star.

   The planet Mars looks red in the night sky.

2. 2nounsingularinformal

   The planet Earth, especially when talking about the environment and protecting it.

   Grammar: Always used with 'the': 'the planet'. It means the whole Earth, not a specific planet.

   Patterns

   • save the planet
   • protect the planet
   • on the planet

   We all need to do more to save the planet.

   Plastic waste is a serious problem for the planet.

   She believes we should live in a way that helps the planet.

Word forms

Common combinations

planet Earth

Planet Earth is our home.

the solar system

There are eight planets in the solar system.

a distant planet

They study distant planets with powerful telescopes.

planet's surface

The planet's surface is covered in ice.

Synonyms and how they differ

world

Refers to Earth or a place where people live; 'planet' is more scientific and includes other planets.

body

In astronomy, a general word for any object in space; 'planet' is a specific type of body.

Opposites

Word family

planetary adjective

Relating to planets: 'planetary science'.

planetarium noun

A building where you can see images of stars and planets.

Commonly confused: planet or star?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “planet”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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