verb
Meaning 1
To become gravitationally dominant, such that there are no other bodies of comparable size within its orbit, other than its natural satellites or those otherwise under its gravitational influence.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: astronomy, natural-sciences
Examples
- Clearing the neighborhood is one of three necessary criteria for a celestial body to be considered a planet in the Solar System, according to the definition adopted in 2006 by the International Astronomical Union.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided