comet

noun

com·​et ˈkä-mət How to pronounce comet (audio)
: a celestial body that appears as a fuzzy head usually surrounding a bright nucleus, that has a usually highly eccentric orbit, that consists primarily of ice and dust, and that often develops one or more long tails when near the sun
cometary adjective
cometic adjective

Examples of comet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The third point is roughly where the comet will be. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024 By early November, the comet will completely fade from view. Christopher Kuhagen, Journal Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2024 Where the meteors come from Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through the debris trail left behind by a comet or asteroid. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Oct. 2024 Saturn and an Oort cloud comet will also be visible to the naked eye. Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for comet 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English comete, from Old English cometa, from Latin, from Greek komētēs, literally, long-haired, from koman to wear long hair, from komē hair

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of comet was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near comet

Cite this Entry

“Comet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comet. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

comet

noun
com·​et ˈkäm-ət How to pronounce comet (audio)
: a bright heavenly body that develops a cloudy tail as it moves closer to the sun in its orbit
Etymology

Old English cometa "comet," from Latin cometa (same meaning), from Greek komētēs, literally, "long-haired," derived from komē "hair" — related to coma entry 2

More from Merriam-Webster on comet

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