Mars

[ mahrz ]

noun

1. the ancient Roman god of war and agriculture, identified with the Greek god Ares.
2. Astronomy. the planet fourth in order from the sun, having a diameter of 4,222 miles (6,794 km), a mean distance from the sun of 141.6 million miles (227.9 million km), a period of revolution of 686.95 days, and two moons.

adjective

1. (often lowercase) of or relating to any of various pigments used in painting that are artificially made from an iron oxide base:

   Mars color; Mars pigments.

Mars

¹

/ mɑːz /

noun

1. the Roman god of war, the father of Romulus and Remus Greek counterpartAres

Mars

²

/ mɑːz /

noun

1. Also calledthe Red Planet the fourth planet from the sun, having a reddish-orange surface with numerous dark patches and two white polar caps. It has a thin atmosphere, mainly carbon dioxide, and low surface temperatures. Spacecraft encounters have revealed a history of volcanic activity and running surface water. The planet has two tiny satellites, Phobos and Deimos. Mean distance from sun: 228 million km; period of revolution around sun: 686.98 days; period of axial rotation: 24.6225 hours; diameter and mass: 53.2 and 10.7 per cent that of earth respectively
2. the alchemical name for iron

Mars

/ märz /

1. The fourth planet from the Sun and the second smallest in the solar system, with a diameter about half that of Earth. Mars is the last of the terrestrial or inner planets and has notable similarities to Earth, including polar ice caps and a tilted axis that gives it seasons. However, it is significantly less dense than Earth and has no magnetic field, suggesting that it lacks a metallic core, and its atmosphere, made up mostly of carbon dioxide, is much thinner than Earth's. Mars has no surface water apart from a layer of permanent ice that underlies the seasonally changing caps of frozen carbon dioxide at its poles; there is, however, clear evidence of earlier water flows in the form of channels, outwashes, and canyons. Other surface features include numerous craters, especially in the southern hemisphere, along with very large volcanoes and extensive windblown dunes. Mar's reddish color is due to the abundance of hematite in its surface rocks. Its two small, irregular moons, Phobos and Deimos, may be asteroids captured earlier by gravitational attraction.
2. See Table at solar system

Mars

¹

1. The Roman name of Ares , the Greek and Roman god of war.

Mars

²

1. In astronomy , the fourth major planet from the sun . Mars was named after the Roman god of war because of its red color. ( See solar system ; See under “Mythology and Folklore.” )

Notes

The month of March is named after Mars.

The fourth planet from the sun (the Earth is third) is named Mars, possibly because its red color is reminiscent of blood.

Example Sentences

However, Musk developed the rocket system to take astronauts to Mars, something he would like to accomplish during his lifetime.

From Los Angeles Times

Newman said future studies would combine the microgravity posture with the VR experience for participants, to better simulate the astronaut experience and design food plans for longer missions, including trips to Mars.

From Science Daily

The findings may significantly impact the way scientists approach planetary exploration, particularly for upcoming missions aimed at studying the habitability of Mars.

From Science Daily

She also took the global stage with Coldplay and Bruno Mars when they headlined Super Bowl L in Santa Clara in 2016.

From Los Angeles Times

When Mars Wright saw that Donald Trump had been elected again as president, the 29-year-old Los Angeles artist and streetwear designer felt relieved he had already undergone surgeries for his gender transition.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• earth