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.
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 Among them is a mass spectrometer that, during close passes, could characterize particles ejected from the surface by the constant bombardment of tiny, dust-sized meteoroids, or by hypothesized plumes of water vapor. Joel Achenbach, arkansasonline.com, 20 Oct. 2024 What to do know about Orionids The big picture: This meteor shower is an annual event at the end of October when the Earth passes through meteoroids left behind by Halley's Comet. Kelly Tyko, Axios, 19 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 22 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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