meteoroid

noun

me·​te·​or·​oid ˈmē-tē-ə-ˌrȯid 

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

ˌmē-tē-ə-ˈrȯi-dᵊl 

adjective

Examples of meteoroid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The meteorite — a remnant after a comet, asteroid or meteoroid survives passing through Earth’s atmosphere — was discovered in Niger’s vast, arid and remote Agadez region in November 2023 by a meteorite hunter, according to its Sotheby’s catalog note. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025

Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through a dense stream of meteoroids left behind by a comet's orbit. —Amanda Castro hannah Parry anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025

When these objects are still hurtling through space, they’re known as meteoroids. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 July 2025

Tiny meteoroids are constantly striking satellites, and with ejecta from YR4's impact measuring only 0.1-10 mm in size, satellites wouldn't suffer catastrophic damage. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for meteoroid

• albuminoid
• arytenoid
• cannabinoid
• carotenoid
• epidermoid
• epithelioid
• paraboloid
• subarachnoid
• underemployed
• adenoid
• alkaloid
• amoeboid

Kids Definition

meteoroid

noun

me·​te·​or·​oid ˈmēt-ē-ə-ˌrȯid 

: a meteor revolving around the sun