planetarium

noun

plan·​e·​tar·​i·​um ˌpla-nə-ˈter-ē-əm How to pronounce planetarium (audio)
plural planetariums or planetaria ˌpla-nə-ˈter-ē-ə How to pronounce planetarium (audio)
1
: a model or representation of the solar system
2
a
: an optical device for projecting various celestial images and effects
b
: a building or room housing such a projector

Examples of planetarium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Detroit cultural district institution features live stage shows, an IMAX Dome, 4D theater, planetarium, and exhibit space with more than 220 hands-on activities and exhibits, the award says. Amy Huschka, Detroit Free Press, 23 Feb. 2024 With the new digital technology, the museum also can offer two-way international video conferencing, video gaming competitions and a planetarium on the screen. Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 While visitors and residents of Las Vegas have had months to react to the creative and, at times, strange LED light shows illuminated on Sphere’s 580,000-square-foot exterior, the first concerts were meant to prove that the venue could be far more than any planetarium or IMAX theater. Rebecca Heilweil, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Oct. 2023 The new aerospace museum wing is named for Samuel Oschin, the late Los Angeles businessman and philanthropist, whose name is also on the Griffith Observatory planetarium and the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center cancer institute. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2024 The crowning jewel of the museum is its planetarium. Jessica Poitevien, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2023 For the most accurate location-specific information, consult online planetariums like Stellarium and The Sky Live. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2023 The Round Tower Climb the spiral ramp to the top of this city icon, built in 1642 as an observatory by King Christian IV, and enter the planetarium to learn about ancient and modern astronomy. Sunshine Flint, Travel + Leisure, 25 Nov. 2023 In Clair Omar Musser’s desktop planetarium, each of the nine planets moved on its own shaft and ball chain. IEEE Spectrum, 1 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'planetarium.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of planetarium was in 1860

Dictionary Entries Near planetarium

Cite this Entry

“Planetarium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/planetarium. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

planetarium

noun
plan·​e·​tar·​i·​um ˌplan-ə-ˈter-ē-əm How to pronounce planetarium (audio)
plural planetariums or planetaria -ē-ə How to pronounce planetarium (audio)
1
: a device that projects images of heavenly bodies on a ceiling shaped like a dome
2
: a building or room housing a planetarium

More from Merriam-Webster on planetarium

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