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 new method led to a classification system that ranks a meteoroid's hardness. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 17 June 2026

But a couple of pages later, his capsule encounters a meteoroid which explodes nearby. — Neil Oseman, Space.com, 14 June 2026

When many meteoroids encounter the atmosphere at once, it's considered a meteor shower. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 June 2026

If meteoroids survive their trip to Earth without burning up in the atmosphere, they are called meteorites, NASA says. — Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 20 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for meteoroid

• adenoid
• alkaloid
• amoeboid
• amyloid
• aneroid
• arachnoid
• asteroid
• benzenoid
• carcinoid
• celluloid
• coronoid
• humanoid

Kids Definition

meteoroid

noun

me·​te·​or·​oid ˈmēt-ē-ə-ˌrȯid 

: a meteor revolving around the sun