shooting star

noun

1

: a visual meteor appearing as a temporary streak of light in the night sky

2

: any of several North American perennial herbs (genus Primula, especially P. meadia) of the primrose family that have entire oblong leaves and showy flowers with reflexed petals

3

: one resembling a shooting star especially in sudden and temporary brilliance

Examples of shooting star in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Quadrantids are usually a prolific stream of shooting stars. —Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 30 Dec. 2025

Then be sure to read our guide to imaging shooting stars and to check out our picks of the best cameras and lenses for capturing the majesty of the night sky. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 21 Dec. 2025

During this time, sky-gazers in some parts of the world could spot up to 10 shooting stars streak across the sky per hour as Earth passes through the debris trail of a comet. —Nandika Chatterjee, Time, 21 Dec. 2025

The annual Geminid meteor shower is set to peak this weekend, offering stargazers a chance to catch what is often one of the year’s best and most reliable displays of shooting stars. —Denise Chow, NBC news, 13 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shooting star

• abattoir
• alcazar
• autocar
• avatar
• belshazzar
• caviar
• caviare
• cinnabar
• commissar
• condylar
• deodar
• handlebar

Kids Definition

shooting star

noun

: a meteor appearing as a temporary streak of light in the night sky