meteorite

noun

me·​te·​or·​ite ˈmē-tē-ə-ˌrīt 

: a meteor that reaches the surface of the earth without being completely vaporized

meteoritic

ˌmē-tē-ə-ˈri-tik 

adjective

or less commonly meteoritical

ˌmē-tē-ə-ˈri-ti-kəl 

Examples of meteorite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In September, the observatory was visited by Dusty Segretto, who gave a presentation on how to find and collect the meteorite pieces. —Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Dec. 2025

Further examination of light reflected from the comet surface revealed that 3I/ATLAS likely resembles a rare type of meteorite called a carbonaceous chondrite. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 Dec. 2025

Unlike meteorites, which endure the destructive inferno of atmospheric entry, Bennu’s materials arrived on Earth untouched. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Nov. 2025

Researchers also previously detected amino acids in samples from another asteroid, Ryugu, which the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency collected in 2019, as well as in various meteorites that have fallen to Earth. —Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 27 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for meteorite

• actinolite
• adipocyte
• amphibolite
• anorthosite
• anthophyllite
• aragonite
• carbonatite
• cassiterite
• cristobalite
• crocidolite
• diatomite
• dithionite

Kids Definition

meteorite

noun

me·​te·​or·​ite ˈmēt-ē-ə-ˌrīt 

: a meteor that reaches the surface of the earth