inferior planet

[ in-feer-ee-er plan-it ]

noun

, Astronomy.

1. (relative to Earth) either of the two planets whose orbits are closer to the sun, namely, Venus and Mercury.
2. (relative to a given planet) any planet whose orbit is closer to the sun:

   From the perspective of Jupiter, Earth is an inferior planet.

inferior planet

noun

1. either of the planets Mercury and Venus, whose orbits lie inside that of the earth

inferior planet

1. Either of the planets Mercury or Venus, whose orbits lie between Earth and the Sun. Because these planets lie in the general direction of the Sun, they can only be seen a few hours before sunrise or after sunset and are always positioned relatively near the horizon, never overhead. Inferior planets go through a complete cycle of phases as viewed from Earth, although their full phase, which occurs on the far side of the Sun, is lost in its glare.
2. Compare superior planetSee also inner planet

Word History and Origins

Origin of inferior planet¹

First recorded in 1715–20

Example Sentences

This system of course accounted accurately for the motions of the two inferior planets, whose nearness to the sun may have suggested their connection with it.

From Project Gutenberg

Of the inferior planets, Mercury is so near the sun that it would be equally unfit for the residence of such beings.

From Project Gutenberg

Now this would most certainly be the case were the orbit of an inferior planet in the same plane with the orbit of the earth.

From Project Gutenberg

The extremities of a crescent moon, or inferior planet.

From Project Gutenberg

The other inferior planets have still less to show than the earth.

From Project Gutenberg