asteroid belt

noun

: the region of interplanetary space between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter in which most asteroids are found

Examples of asteroid belt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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This photograph was taken in the main asteroid belt of our solar system, where the spacecraft came close to the asteroid at 596 miles (960 kilometers) from Earth. Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 7 July 2025 Along the way, Jupiter flung some smaller rocks out of the solar system altogether; the rest went to the asteroid belt. Lucas Brefka, The Conversation, 19 May 2025 Officials expect Psyche to keep that date, which is critical for using Mars' gravity to slingshot the spacecraft deeper into the Solar System, eventually reaching the asteroid belt about four years from now. ArsTechnica, 21 June 2025 Most orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter in the main asteroid belt, though some, called Near-Earth Objects (NEOs), pass much closer to our planet. Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for asteroid belt

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of asteroid belt was in 1867

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Cite this Entry

“Asteroid belt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asteroid%20belt. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

asteroid belt

noun
: the region of interplanetary space between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter in which most asteroids are found

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