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 Science fiction movies that show microscopic meteoroids dramatically puncturing spacecraft aren’t far from the truth. Mark Price, Miami Herald, 18 July 2024 The team identified eight new impact craters created by meteoroids from InSight’s data that orbiters circling the planet did previously spot. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 29 June 2024 While very small meteoroids are common, larger ones – bigger than a dishwasher – are not. Brian Elbing, Discover Magazine, 11 June 2024 Once these analyses are complete, scientists will know if any material from the meteoroid made it to the ground before burning up in the atmosphere. Abigail Beck, The Arizona Republic, 17 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for meteoroid 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'meteoroid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 20 Sep. 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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