SKIP TO CONTENT

exoplanet

/ˈɛksoʊˌplænət/
IPA guide

Other forms: exoplanets

An exoplanet is a planet that revolves around a different sun than ours. Sometimes a pizza takes so long to be delivered, you think it must be coming from one of the furthest known exoplanets!

In the 1970s, when space science was taking off, the word exoplanet was invented by attaching the combining form exo-, meaning "outside," to the word planet. That English form exo- comes from the Greek, also meaning "outside," and is used in this case because the planet is outside our solar system. Exoskeleton is another word that uses this combining form, and refers to the hard supporting structure found on the outside of certain animals such as insects and crabs.

Definitions of exoplanet
  1. noun
    a large celestial body revolving around a star other than the Sun
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘exoplanet'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family