meteor

noun

me·​te·​or ˈmē-tē-ər 

-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

The Perseid meteor shower reached its peak before dawn today, lighting up the skies with up to 100 meteors per hour. —Alexandra Banner, CNN, 12 Aug. 2024

Although most nights of the Perseids showcase only a few meteors per hour, the peak of the shower typically brings much more. —Greg Wehner, Fox News, 11 Aug. 2024

The meteor activity will then pick up from there and last until around dawn. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2024

Meteor showers are named after their radiant, or the constellation that the meteors appear to radiate from. —Gretchen Rundorff, WIRED, 4 Aug. 2024

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

Phrases Containing meteor

• meteor shower

Kids Definition

meteor

noun

me·​te·​or ˈmēt-ē-ər 

-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