meteor

noun

me·​te·​or ˈmē-tē-ər How to pronounce meteor (audio)
-ˌȯr
1
: an atmospheric phenomenon (such as lightning or a snowfall)
2
a
: any of the small particles of matter in the solar system that are directly observable only by their incandescence from frictional heating on entry into the atmosphere
b
: the streak of light produced by the passage of a meteor

Examples of meteor 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.
November will also see some meteors pass through the night skies. Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 29 Oct. 2024 Not satisfied, meteor physicist Peter Brown and colleague Jiří Borovička conducted an indirect analysis of the accuracy of classified U.S. government detection equipment by comparing its data with independent fireball data—the official term for data about space fireballs that land on Earth. Andréa Morris, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024 Within that epoch there was also a 40 million year span known as the Ordovician Impact Spike that saw the Earth fairly tattooed with meteors raining down from space. Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 18 Sep. 2024 Rochette later received samples from the site in question, and found that at least one contained zircon, a mineral that undergoes transformation in the event of a meteor impact. Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for meteor 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English metheour, from Middle French meteore, from Medieval Latin meteorum, from Greek meteōron, from neuter of meteōros high in air, from meta- + -eōros, from aeirein to lift

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of meteor was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near meteor

Cite this Entry

“Meteor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meteor. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

meteor

noun
me·​te·​or ˈmēt-ē-ər How to pronounce meteor (audio)
-ē-ˌȯ(ə)r
: one of the small bodies of matter in the solar system observable when it falls into the earth's atmosphere where the heat of friction may cause it to glow brightly for a short time
also : the streak of light produced by the passage of a meteor

More from Merriam-Webster on meteor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!