shooting star

noun

1

: a visual meteor appearing as a temporary streak of light in the night sky

2

: any of several North American perennial herbs (genus Primula, especially P. meadia) of the primrose family that have entire oblong leaves and showy flowers with reflexed petals

3

: one resembling a shooting star especially in sudden and temporary brilliance

Examples of shooting star in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Mario and Peach see dozens of shooting stars streak across the sky, then head to the stars with Luigi and Toad. —Jack Dunn, Variety, 12 Nov. 2025

The Perseid meteor shower was expected to peak that night, one of the best times of the year to see shooting stars. —Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025

This time of year, the annual month-long Perseid Meteor Shower is peaking, so once the sun does finally set, gaze upward again to see a flurry of shooting stars. —Maya Silver, Outside, 21 Oct. 2025

Dozens of shooting stars will dash across the California night sky as a radiant meteor show reaches its peak. —Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shooting star

• abattoir
• alcazar
• autocar
• avatar
• belshazzar
• caviar
• caviare
• cinnabar
• commissar
• condylar
• deodar
• handlebar

Kids Definition

shooting star

noun

: a meteor appearing as a temporary streak of light in the night sky