meteor

noun

me·​te·​or ˈmē-tē-ər 

-ˌȯr

1

: an atmospheric phenomenon (such as lightning or a snowfall)

2

a

: any of the small particles of matter in the solar system that are directly observable only by their incandescence from frictional heating on entry into the atmosphere

b

: the streak of light produced by the passage of a meteor

Examples of meteor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Stargazers in the north were treated to a more modest rate of just 10 meteors per hour. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 6 May 2025

However, the meteors are best seen from the Southern Hemisphere. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 6 May 2025

Nicolas Cage plays the patriarch of a family that moves to a remote farm where a glowing meteor seems to crash in the front yard. —Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 5 May 2025

In their minds, the miracle cure gets worse odds than lighting striking you while a meteor lands on your head. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English metheour, from Middle French meteore, from Medieval Latin meteorum, from Greek meteōron, from neuter of meteōros high in air, from meta- + -eōros, from aeirein to lift

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing meteor

• meteor shower

Kids Definition

meteor

noun

me·​te·​or ˈmēt-ē-ər 

-ē-ˌȯ(ə)r

: one of the small bodies of matter in the solar system observable when it falls into the earth's atmosphere where the heat of friction may cause it to glow brightly for a short time

also : the streak of light produced by the passage of a meteor