English

Noun

major planet ‎(plural major planets)

1. (astronomy) Any of the 8 celestial bodies which orbit the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune (a celestial body that fits the 2006 IAU definition of planet).
2. (astronomy) Any planet that is significantly larger and more massive than Earth, containing large amounts of hydrogen and helium, such as Jupiter and Neptune.^[1]

Synonyms

• planet

Antonyms

• (larger than Earth): minor planet (smaller than Earth (in the Solar System))
• (2006 IAU definition of planet): dwarf planet (a planet that does not fit the 2006 IAU definition of planet (i.e. Pluto))

Related terms

• dwarf planet
• minor planet
• superplanet

References

1. ↑ http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy_glossary.html