noun / proper noun
moon
MOON/muːn/
A natural object that orbits a planet.
The Moon shows its cratered surface against the dark sky.
Etymology
Old English mona named Earth's moon. Its family connection with words meaning “month” reflects the use of the moon's recurring phases as a measure of time.
In context
The moon orbits earth every 29.5 days, but we don’t get eclipses every month. That’s because the moon’s orbit is not in line with earth’s orbit.
More examples
- Earth has one moon, while Mars has two.
- Europa is one of Jupiter's largest moons.
- The Moon looks bright because it reflects sunlight.
Forms
moon · moons
moonlight noun — Sunlight reflected by the moon toward Earth.
moonless adjective — Having no visible moon in the sky.
Similar words
- satellite
- Can be natural or artificial and orbit other bodies.