asteroid

The definition of an asteroid, also called a minor planet, is a rocky mass that orbits the sun.

(noun)

A small planet whose orbit is between Mars and Jupiter is an example of an asteroid.

See asteroid in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

starlike; shaped like a star or starfish

Origin: Gr asteroeidēs < astēr, star + eidēs, -oid

noun

any of the thousands of small planets ranging from 1,000 km (621 mi) to less than one km (0.62 mi) in diameter, with orbits usually between those of Mars and Jupiter; minor planet; planetoid
Zool. starfish

See asteroid in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Astronomy Any of numerous small celestial bodies that revolve around the sun, with orbits lying chiefly between Mars and Jupiter and characteristic diameters between a few and several hundred kilometers. Also called minor planet, planetoid.
Zoology See starfish.

adjective also as·ter·oi·dal (ăsˌtə-roidˈl)

Star-shaped.

Origin:

Origin: From Greek asteroeidēs, starlike

Origin: : astēr, star; see ster-³ in Indo-European roots

Origin: + -oeidēs, -oid

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