meteoroid

noun

me·​te·​or·​oid ˈmē-tē-ə-ˌrȯid How to pronounce meteoroid (audio)
1
: a meteor particle itself without relation to the phenomena it produces when entering the earth's atmosphere
2
: a meteor in orbit around the sun
meteoroidal adjective

Examples of meteoroid 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 debris – space rocks known as meteoroids – collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky, according to NASA. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024 Shooting stars are meteors, meteoroids that light up when small rock particles burn up in Earth’s atmosphere. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 Lyrid meteor shower 2024:Visual guide to the celestial show What are meteoroids? Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024 In 2019, the company lost a unit after three years due to what was either a meteoroid or a wiring flaw. Chris Morris, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for meteoroid 

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of meteoroid was in 1865

Dictionary Entries Near meteoroid

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

meteoroid

noun
me·​te·​or·​oid ˈmēt-ē-ə-ˌrȯid How to pronounce meteoroid (audio)
: a meteor revolving around the sun

More from Merriam-Webster on meteoroid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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