Which of the following is defined as a large object that orbits the sun?

The correct answer is a planet, which is specifically defined as a large celestial body that orbits the sun. In our solar system, planets are significant because they are large enough to have cleared their orbits of other debris, and they exhibit a spherical shape due to their own gravity.

Planets are distinct from other types of celestial objects. For instance, a star is a massive, luminous ball of gas undergoing nuclear fusion, while an asteroid is generally a much smaller rocky body orbiting the sun. Moons are natural satellites that orbit planets rather than the sun directly. Understanding the characteristics and classifications of these celestial objects is essential to grasping the structure and dynamics of our solar system.