micrometeorite
noun
mi·cro·me·te·or·ite
ˌmī-krō-ˈmē-tē-ə-ˌrīt 
1
: a meteorite so small that it can pass through the earth's atmosphere without becoming intensely heated
2
: a very small particle in interplanetary space
Examples of micrometeorite in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
On January 11, 2023, Roscosmos confirmed that a micrometeorite had struck the external cooling loop of the spacecraft and deemed it unsafe to fly home.
—
Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2023
Moreover, if there are so many micrometeorites intersecting with the space station's orbit, why is the outpost not riddled with holes?
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2023
Polar regions, such as Greenland and Antarctica, that are covered with ice year-round are hot spots for micrometeorite research because of their geographical isolation and stasis.
—Sarah Derouin, Scientific American, 29 Apr. 2021
First reported in September as possible micrometeorite damage, a small hole that caused a drop in pressure in a Soyuz transport craft docked at the International Space Station now appears to have been drilled.
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 20 Jan. 2019
In December 2022, a micrometeorite damaged the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft docked on the ISS, which affected the capsule’s cooling systems that keep astronauts at safe temperatures on their descent back to Earth.
—Briley Lewis, Popular Science, 7 Feb. 2023
An external impact likely means either a micrometeorite or small fragment of orbital debris must have struck the Progress spacecraft.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2023
Russian engineers eventually declared that a micrometeorite had struck the external cooling loop of the spacecraft and deemed it unsafe to fly home.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 11 Feb. 2023
The solar wind, micrometeorite impacts, even thermal stress from the Moon's day/night cycle, all will weather away this crater.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 11 May 2011
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Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2023
Moreover, if there are so many micrometeorites intersecting with the space station's orbit, why is the outpost not riddled with holes?
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2023
Polar regions, such as Greenland and Antarctica, that are covered with ice year-round are hot spots for micrometeorite research because of their geographical isolation and stasis.
—Sarah Derouin, Scientific American, 29 Apr. 2021
First reported in September as possible micrometeorite damage, a small hole that caused a drop in pressure in a Soyuz transport craft docked at the International Space Station now appears to have been drilled.
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 20 Jan. 2019
In December 2022, a micrometeorite damaged the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft docked on the ISS, which affected the capsule’s cooling systems that keep astronauts at safe temperatures on their descent back to Earth.
—Briley Lewis, Popular Science, 7 Feb. 2023
An external impact likely means either a micrometeorite or small fragment of orbital debris must have struck the Progress spacecraft.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2023
Russian engineers eventually declared that a micrometeorite had struck the external cooling loop of the spacecraft and deemed it unsafe to fly home.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 11 Feb. 2023
The solar wind, micrometeorite impacts, even thermal stress from the Moon's day/night cycle, all will weather away this crater.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 11 May 2011
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'micrometeorite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1949, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near micrometeorite
Cite this Entry
“Micrometeorite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/micrometeorite. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
micrometeorite
noun
mi·cro·me·te·or·ite
ˌmī-krō-ˈmēt-ē-ə-ˌrīt
: a very small particle in space
More from Merriam-Webster on micrometeorite
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about micrometeorite
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