protoplanet

[ proh-toh-plan-it ]

noun

, Astronomy.

1. the collection of matter, in the process of condensation, from which a planet is formed.

protoplanet

/ ˌprəʊtəʊˈplænɪt /

noun

1. a planet in its early stages of evolution by the process of accretion

Word History and Origins

Origin of protoplanet¹

First recorded in 1945–50; proto- + planet

Example Sentences

The chaos would have influenced the size, location, and composition of the rocky planets, and many researchers believe it could also explain why a Mars-size protoplanet crashed into Earth around this time, creating the Moon.

From Science Magazine

A giant collision between the young Earth and a smaller protoplanet has long been the prevailing theory for the Moon’s formation.

From Scientific American

The collision was so powerful, it broke apart that impacting protoplanet, nicknamed Theia, and sent huge amounts of material into orbit around Earth—material that eventually coalesced into the moon.

From National Geographic

The most popular theory says that about 4.5 billion years ago, a Mars-size protoplanet slammed into Earth.

From New York Times

But scientists have lacked smoking-gun evidence like a crater or pieces of the protoplanet, named Theia.

From New York Times