exoplanet

[ ek-soh-plan-it ]

noun

, Astronomy.

1. a planet that revolves around a star other than the sun.

exoplanet

/ ˈɛksəʊˌplænɪt /

noun

1. a planet that orbits a star in a solar system other than that of Earth

exoplanet

/ ĕk′sō-plăn′ĭt /

1. See extrasolar planet

Other Words From

• exo·plane·tary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exoplanet¹

First recorded in 1970–75; exo- + planet

Example Sentences

It is one of the lowest mass exoplanets ever discovered, roughly half the size of Venus, and therefore qualifies as a "sub-Earth."

From Salon

Instead of orbiting our Sun, this exoplanet revolves around a star in the Virgo constellation roughly 200 light-years from Earth.

From Salon

They also may someday shed light on volcanic worlds in exoplanet systems around nearby stars.

From Science Daily

Astronomers have made the rare and tantalising discovery of an Earth-like exoplanet 40 light-years away that may be just a little warmer than our own world.

From Science Daily

"We had never been able to study this mixing process in an exoplanet atmosphere in detail, so this will go a long way in understanding how these dynamic chemical reactions operate," Sing said.

From Science Daily