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

Reese Witherspoon voices a woman who grows gigantic after a chance encounter with a meteor, and her now monster-size Susan is paired with some other B-movie pastiches in a battle against invading aliens. —James Grebey, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025

High-fidelity simulation offers insight into 2013 Chelyabinsk meteor The Planetary Society. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025

The Student Academy Awards gold medal winner is about a meteor crash and a sushi restaurant mascot dressed as a fish who frantically rushes to a clock tower before the end of the world. —Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 3 Jan. 2025

But these bright, fast meteors can be seen throughout the sky. —Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Dec. 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