heavenly body
noun
plural heavenly bodies
: an aggregation of matter in the universe (such as a planet, star, or nebula) that can be considered as a single unit (as for astronomical study) : celestial body
The discovery of the heavenly body, which formed about 13.6 billion years ago, has allowed astronomers for the first time to study the chemistry of the first stars.—Rita Mu
Cooper's … account of the collection and interpretation of information about this heavenly body presents us with vivid images of the Venusian landscape as well as insights into the frustrations and rewards of space science.—Donna Seaman
This harvest was the first solid sample of a heavenly body collected in more than 30 years and the first ever from a comet.—Jeffrey Winters
Cite this Entry
“Heavenly body.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heavenly%20body. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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