asteroid belt

American  

[as-tuh-roid belt] / ˈæs təˌrɔɪd ˌbɛlt /

noun

Astronomy.

1. the region in space between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, containing the greatest population of asteroids in our solar system: comprising about half the mass of the asteroid belt are its four largest asteroids, namely, Ceres, Pallas, Vesta, and Hygieia.

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asteroid belt Cultural  

1. A region of the solar system between the orbits of the planets Mars and Jupiter. Most asteroids are found in the asteroid belt.

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Etymology

Origin of asteroid belt

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

The main asteroid belt contains an enormous range of objects, and understanding what resources they hold requires careful classification.

From Science Daily • Dec. 25, 2025

Its surface would lie even further from the asteroid belt, meaning all of us including planet Mars would be in the belly of the red beast.

From Space Scoop • Aug. 20, 2025

The asteroid, which scientists refer to as 2024 PT5, hails from the Arjuna asteroid belt, which contains rocks that follow an orbit quite similar to Earth’s.

From BBC • Sep. 25, 2024

The Arjuna asteroid belt contains a diverse array of asteroids and comets which periodically wander into our neighborhood.

From Salon • Sep. 20, 2024

The rings of Saturn bear some resemblance to the asteroid belt: trillions of tiny icy moonlets orbiting the planet.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan