Pluto

[ ploo-toh ]

noun

1. Classical Mythology. a name given to Hades, under which he is identified by the Romans with Orcus.
2. Astronomy. a dwarf planet having an equatorial diameter of about 2,100 miles (3,300 km), a mean distance from the sun of 3.674 billion miles (5.914 billion km), a period of revolution of 248.53 years, and one known moon, Charon. Based on the definition of a planet devised by the International Astronomical Union in 2006, Pluto, regarded as the ninth and most distant planet in our solar system since its discovery in 1930, was reclassified as a dwarf planet, a decision that continues to be examined and questioned by some astronomers.

PLUTO

¹

/ ˈpluːtəʊ /

noun

1. the code name of pipelines laid under the English Channel to supply fuel to the Allied forces landing in Normandy in 1944

Pluto

²

/ ˈpluːtəʊ /

noun

1. classical myth the god of the underworld; Hades

Pluto

³

/ ˈpluːtəʊ /

noun

1. the second-largest dwarf planet in the solar system, located in the Kuiper belt; discovered in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh (1906–97); classified as a planet until 2006, when it was reclassified as a dwarf planet. It has a diameter of 2390 km

Pluto

/ plo̅o̅′tō /

1. A dwarf planet that until 2006 was classified as the ninth planet in the Solar System. Pluto was not discovered until 1930, when Clyde Tombaugh noticed it while searching for an unknown planet thought to influence Uranus's orbit. Pluto's surface is covered with frozen methane and other ices, and its extremely thin atmosphere consists primarily of methane and nitrogen. Between 1979 and 1999 Pluto crossed inside Neptune's orbit. Pluto has three moons: Charon (discovered in 1978) and Hydra and Nix (both discovered in 2005).
2. See Table at solar system

Pluto

¹

1. The Roman name of Hades , the Greek and Roman god of the underworld and ruler of the dead.

Pluto

²

1. In astronomy , the smallest of the major planets , usually ninth from the sun . Pluto was discovered in 1930 and is named for the Roman god of the underworld. ( See solar system )

Notes

The planet Pluto is usually the most distant planet in the solar system .

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pluto¹

C20: from p ( ipe ) l ( ine ) u ( nder ) t ( he ) o ( cean )

Origin of Pluto²

Latin, from Greek Ploutōn, literally: the rich one

Example Sentences

The children’s programming channel is bringing back its “Kids Pick the President” special, which premiered Monday and is streaming on Nick.com, YouTube, Pluto TV and Paramount+.

From Los Angeles Times

Pluto TV also recently launched a 24-hour streaming channel dedicated to the show.

From Los Angeles Times

One streamer was stagnant in Nielsen’s June data: Paramount Global’s Pluto, which declined slightly to 0.8% of viewing.

From Los Angeles Times

“No, I mean you’re gonna think I’m out there. Way, way, way out there. In space, past Pluto, in another galaxy.”

From Literature

Bakish oversaw big changes at the company, including the creation of the Paramount+ streaming platform and acquiring Pluto TV, a free, ad-supported video service.

From New York Times

Related Words

• earth