Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for Pluto

Pluto

[ ploo-toh ]

noun

  1. Classical Mythology. a name given to Hades, under which he is identified by the Romans with Orcus.
  2. Astronomy. a dwarf planet having an equatorial diameter of about 2,100 miles (3,300 km), a mean distance from the sun of 3.674 billion miles (5.914 billion km), a period of revolution of 248.53 years, and one known moon, Charon. Based on the definition of a planet devised by the International Astronomical Union in 2006, Pluto, regarded as the ninth and most distant planet in our solar system since its discovery in 1930, was reclassified as a dwarf planet, a decision that continues to be examined and questioned by some astronomers.


PLUTO

1

/ ˈpluːtəʊ /

noun

  1. the code name of pipelines laid under the English Channel to supply fuel to the Allied forces landing in Normandy in 1944


Pluto

2

/ ˈpluːtəʊ /

noun

  1. classical myth the god of the underworld; Hades

Pluto

3

/ ˈpluːtəʊ /

noun

  1. the second-largest dwarf planet in the solar system, located in the Kuiper belt; discovered in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh (1906–97); classified as a planet until 2006, when it was reclassified as a dwarf planet. It has a diameter of 2390 km

Pluto

/ plo̅o̅ /

  1. A dwarf planet that until 2006 was classified as the ninth planet in the Solar System. Pluto was not discovered until 1930, when Clyde Tombaugh noticed it while searching for an unknown planet thought to influence Uranus's orbit. Pluto's surface is covered with frozen methane and other ices, and its extremely thin atmosphere consists primarily of methane and nitrogen. Between 1979 and 1999 Pluto crossed inside Neptune's orbit. Pluto has three moons: Charon (discovered in 1978) and Hydra and Nix (both discovered in 2005).
  2. See Table at solar system


Pluto

1
  1. The Roman name of Hades , the Greek and Roman god of the underworld and ruler of the dead.


Pluto

2
  1. In astronomy , the smallest of the major planets , usually ninth from the sun . Pluto was discovered in 1930 and is named for the Roman god of the underworld. ( See solar system )

Discover More

Notes

The planet Pluto is usually the most distant planet in the solar system .

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pluto1

C20: from p ( ipe ) l ( ine ) u ( nder ) t ( he ) o ( cean )

Origin of Pluto2

Latin, from Greek Ploutōn, literally: the rich one

Discover More

Example Sentences

Choosing to strike while the iron was hot, Future announced his followup to Pluto, Future Hendrix, right away.

That makes it appear about six times brighter than Pluto, but still far fainter than any star we can see with the unaided eye.

In particular, Pluto could be ringed: we know it has at least five moons, which, other than Charon, are tiny.

A Moon-Pluto mashup sets the tone this week, shifting focus from external issues to inner longings.

Pluto is god of the underworld whose wife Persephone sits frozen, entranced or asleep on her throne.

As the Vulture was of too large a draught to proceed higher, the troops were placed on board the steamers Pluto and Corsair.

Then Pluto loomed ahead, lost and forgotten up there in the night.

They'll be giving him artificial hands and feet, and he'll be trying for Pluto.

I understand that Poseidon and Pluto entered freak shows—they were fine attractions, too.

The observatory on Pluto had reported a free planet passing within two hundred quadrillion miles of the solar system.

Advertisement

Related Words

Word of the Day

petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


plutinoplutocracy