Wiktionary
n. (context astronomy English) an astronomical object in direct orbit around the Sun that is not a planet nor a comet(cite web url = http://en.wikipedia.org/ title = Minor planet date= 2013-06-03 format= HTML publisher = Wikipedia archiveurl= http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minor_planet archivedate = 2013-06-03 accessdate= 2013-06-08 ) (gloss: in the Solar System).
WordNet
Wikipedia
A minor planet is an astronomical object in direct orbit around the Sun that is neither a planet nor exclusively classified as a comet. Minor planets can be dwarf planets, asteroids, trojans, centaurs, Kuiper belt objects, and other trans-Neptunian objects. As of 2016, the orbits of 709,706 minor planets were archived at the Minor Planet Center, 469,275 of which had received permanent numbers ).
The first minor planet to be discovered was Ceres in 1801. The term minor planet has been used since the 19th century to describe these objects. The term planetoid has also been used, especially for larger (planetary) objects such as those the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has called dwarf planets since 2006. Historically, the terms asteroid, minor planet, and planetoid have been more or less synonymous. This terminology has become more complicated by the discovery of numerous minor planets beyond the orbit of Jupiter, especially trans-Neptunian objects that are generally not considered asteroids. Minor planets seen releasing gas may be dually classified as a comet.
Before 2006, the IAU had officially used the term minor planet. During its 2006 meeting, the IAU reclassified minor planets and comets into dwarf planets and small Solar System bodies (SSSB). Objects are called dwarf planets if their self-gravity is sufficient to achieve hydrostatic equilibrium and form an ellipsoidal shape. All other minor planets and comets are called small Solar System bodies. The IAU stated that the term minor planet may still be used, but the term small Solar System body will be preferred. However, for purposes of numbering and naming, the traditional distinction between minor planet and comet is still used.
Usage examples of "minor planet".
He could not immediately determine a human equivalent, but there was rarely more than one per planet, sometimes none on a minor planet.
Always remember, John, that you and I live on a minor planet attached to a minor star, at the far edge of a minor galaxy.
This League outpost was a minor planet with a relatively small population clustered in jungle-choked rift valleys, while the rest of the surface and oceans remained inhospitable.
Seven thousand years of loyal service to half a hundred big-time Galactic races, only to be splattered all over a minor planet by one Fiben Bolger, client of wolflings, semi-skilled militia pilot.