meteor

noun me·te·or \ ˈmē-tē-ər , -ˌȯr \

Updated on: 21 May 2018

Definition of meteor

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

See meteor defined for English-language learners

See meteor defined for kids

Recent Examples of meteor from the Web

In Avengers: Infinity War, the roll happens early in the film as Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) streaks across the sky like a meteor before crashing into the Sanctum Sanctorum and heralding the arrival of Thanos (Josh Brolin).

— valerie kalfrin, The Hollywood Reporter, "The Shot Turning the Marvel Universe Upside Down," 5 May 2018
The best time to watch the meteors is usually in the pre-dawn hours.

— dave epstein, BostonGlobe.com, "The peak of this week’s Eta Aquarid meteor shower could start tomorrow," 5 May 2018
The annual Lyrid meteor shower got going this year on Monday, April 16 and is expected to peak in the early morning on Sunday, April 22.

— NBC News, "The Lyrid meteor shower is back. Here's how to see the shooting stars," 19 Apr. 2018
Even a tiny meteor that burned up in our atmosphere sent an alarming meteoroid arcing across the Michigan sky a few days ago.

— avi selk, Washington Post, "Let’s talk about the big scary asteroid that’s NOT going to hit Earth," 21 Jan. 2018
Frequently, meteors can be observed in the night sky as shooting stars, burning farther up in the atmosphere.

— robert allen, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan meteor: Here's everything we know," 17 Jan. 2018
Because the meteors race across much of the overhead sky, there is no need for binoculars or telescopes.

— andrew fazekas, National Geographic, "How to See the 2018 Lyrid Meteor Shower," 20 Apr. 2018
Observers may see between 10 and 20 meteors an hour when the Lyrid meteor shower peaks.

— mahita gajanan, Time, "The Lyrid Meteor Shower Is Coming This Weekend. Here’s How to See One of The Best Meteor Showers of the Year," 17 Apr. 2018
The asteroid that flew by Earth Sunday was up to six times the size of the meteor that exploded over Russia's Ural Mountains in Chelyabinsk back in February 2013.

— jennifer earl, Fox News, "Asteroid the size of a football field makes 'surprise' flyby past Earth," 16 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'meteor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of meteor

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Astronomy Terms

gibbous, nadir, nebulous, penumbra, retrograde, sidereal, syzygy, wane, wax, zenith

METEOR Defined for English Language Learners

meteor

noun

Definition of meteor for English Language Learners

: a piece of rock or metal that burns and glows brightly in the sky as it falls from outer space into the Earth's atmosphere

METEOR Defined for Kids

meteor

noun me·te·or \ ˈmē-tē-ər \

Definition of meteor for Students

: one of the small pieces of matter in the solar system that enter the earth's atmosphere where friction may cause them to glow and form a streak of light

Learn More about meteor

Spanish Central: Translation of meteor Nglish: Translation of meteor for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of meteor for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about meteor

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up meteor? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

meteor

Definition of meteor

Recent Examples of meteor from the Web

Origin and Etymology of meteor

Other Astronomy Terms

METEOR Defined for English Language Learners

meteor

Definition of meteor for English Language Learners

METEOR Defined for Kids

meteor

Definition of meteor for Students

Learn More about meteor

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

raillery

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

9 Words from the Magical Realm

A Field Guide to British Noble Titles

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Putting the History of 'Limelight' Center Stage

Ask the Editors

Ghost Word

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

Farm Idioms Quiz

Spell It

Add Diction

9 Words from the Magical Realm

A Field Guide to British Noble Titles

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word

meteor

Definition of meteor

Recent Examples of meteor from the Web

Origin and Etymology of meteor

Other Astronomy Terms

Phrases Related to METEOR

Related Phrases

METEOR Defined for English Language Learners

meteor

Definition of meteor for English Language Learners

METEOR Defined for Kids

meteor

Definition of meteor for Students

Learn More about meteor

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

9 Words from the Magical Realm

A Field Guide to British Noble Titles

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word