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

In this add on, a meteor lands on a volcanic island and so Kirby is left collecting shards of a shattered crystal and preventing an eerie presence from inside the rock from escaping. —Joshua Lamb, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025

At one point, a bird crashes into the aerial camera, sending the device swirling down to Earth like a meteor bent on a crash land. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025

The Perseid meteor shower in mid-August also adds the chance of capturing a streaking meteor against the massive galactic core. —Harry Bennett, Space.com, 28 Aug. 2025

As Rangers players, front office people and fans all know, Ron Washington could survive a meteor strike. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 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