celestial body
noun
variants
or less commonly celestial object
plural celestial bodies also celestial objects
: an aggregation of matter in the universe (such as a planet, star, or nebula) that can be considered as a single unit (as for astronomical study)
But many scientists began seriously rethinking their notions of the solar system in 1992, when we identified a small celestial body—just a few hundred kilometers across—sited farther from the sun than any of the known planets.—
Jane X. Luu et al.
Jane X. Luu et al.As the observer looks at a star or other celestial body its light rays pass through a single point on the earth's surface.—Dutton's Navigation and Piloting, 14th edition
Dutton's Navigation and Piloting, 14th editionA black hole forms when a star or other celestial object collapses under the pull of its own gravity.—Mary Durack Miller
Mary Durack Millercalled also heavenly body
Examples of celestial body in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Both celestial bodies will fade quickly in the growing light of dawn.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Now, scientists have discovered that these celestial bodies may have more in common than once thought.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 21 July 2025
This composite image captures the relative position of these celestial bodies over time, as Saturn appears to approach the moon, pass behind it, then slink away.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 July 2025
These celestial bodies are the small, inactive cores left over after larger stars–similar to our sun–burn out of all their nuclear fuel.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for celestial body
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Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Now, scientists have discovered that these celestial bodies may have more in common than once thought.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 21 July 2025
This composite image captures the relative position of these celestial bodies over time, as Saturn appears to approach the moon, pass behind it, then slink away.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 July 2025
These celestial bodies are the small, inactive cores left over after larger stars–similar to our sun–burn out of all their nuclear fuel.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for celestial body
Cite this Entry
“Celestial body.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/celestial%20body. Accessed 27 Jul. 2025.
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