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 October 2012, a fragment of the Mbale meteorite was put up for sale by Heritage Auctions in New York City. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 14 Aug. 2026

An electric charge lifts it off the ground, and billions of years of tiny meteorite strikes have left every grain sharp and jagged. — Wanjiku Chebet Kanjumba, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026

Along with discovering sulfur crystals, shiny meteorites and other unusual rock formations, Curiosity has made some of its biggest discoveries about ancient Mars, the space agency said. — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026

There are only about 200 meteorite impact craters found on Earth, according to the Impact Crater database. — Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 24 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for meteorite

• acolyte
• aconite
• allanite
• alunite
• amberlite
• ammonite
• amorite
• amphitrite
• analyte
• anchorite
• andesite
• anhydrite

Kids Definition

meteorite

noun

me·​te·​or·​ite ˈmēt-ē-ə-ˌrīt 

: a meteor that reaches the surface of the earth