The Kuiper Belt

C1 8+
Pronunciation Definitions Examples Grammatical Forms Origin and Evolution

Pronunciation: /ðə ˈkaɪpər bɛlt/

Definitions of the Kuiper belt

noun a region of the solar system beyond the orbit of Neptune, believed to contain many comets, asteroids, and other small bodies

Example Sentences

A1 The Kuiper belt is a region in space beyond Neptune.

A2 Scientists believe that the Kuiper belt contains many small icy bodies.

B1 Exploration of the Kuiper belt has provided valuable insights into the outer solar system.

B2 Astronomers study the Kuiper belt to learn more about the origins of our solar system.

C1 The Kuiper belt is home to dwarf planets such as Pluto and Eris.

C2 Research on the Kuiper belt continues to uncover new discoveries about the outer reaches of our solar system.

Examples of the Kuiper belt in a Sentence

formal The Kuiper belt is a region of the outer Solar System beyond the orbit of Neptune, where many small icy bodies are located.

informal Scientists study the Kuiper belt to learn more about the objects that exist beyond Neptune.

slang Check out the Kuiper belt, it's like a cosmic treasure trove of icy objects!

figurative The Kuiper belt is like the outer suburbs of our Solar System, where all the cool and mysterious stuff hangs out.

Grammatical Forms of the Kuiper belt

past tense

the Kuiper belts

plural

the Kuiper belts

comparative

the Kuiper belt is larger than the asteroid belt

superlative

the Kuiper belt is the farthest region of the solar system

present tense

the Kuiper belt contains icy objects

future tense

scientists will continue to study the Kuiper belt

perfect tense

astronomers have observed the Kuiper belt

continuous tense

researchers are studying the Kuiper belt

singular

the Kuiper belt

positive degree

the Kuiper belt is vast

infinitive

to explore the Kuiper belt

gerund

studying the Kuiper belt

participle

the Kuiper belt region

Origin and Evolution of the Kuiper belt

First Known Use: 1951 year
Language of Origin: English
Story behind the word: The term 'Kuiper belt' was named after Dutch-American astronomer Gerard Kuiper, who first proposed the existence of a region of icy bodies beyond Neptune.
Evolution of the word: Initially, the Kuiper belt was theorized as a source of short-period comets, but as observations improved, it became recognized as a region populated by a vast number of small icy bodies and dwarf planets.