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

With no bright moon competing against faint meteors, observers under rural skies could see 60 to 100 meteors per hour, while even suburban observers should enjoy a steady stream of shooting stars. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

For the best views of shooting stars, planets and more, head away from the city. — Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026

This is where the shooting star trails will be at their longest. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 17 July 2026

That trail of vaporizing particles breaking off the asteroid causes a bright streak of light across the sky called a meteor, or colloquially a shooting star. — Adam Lark, The Conversation, 16 June 2026

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