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
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In previous years, the Perseids have produced between 50 to 100 meteors per hour at their peak, with shooting stars emanating from a point of origin known as a radiant located in the constellation Perseus.
—
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Key Facts The annual Perseid meteor shower peaks on Tuesday, Aug. 12, through Wednesday, Aug. 13, but is unlikely to deliver the 75 ‘shooting stars’ per hour that would normally be visible because of an 84%-lit waning gibbous moon.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
What are top 10 states for spotting a shooting star?
—Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2025
While the Perseids won’t produce a flurry of 50 to 100 shooting stars in late July and early August, the timing does provide the chance to watch for four meteor showers in one night, including two that will peak from July 29 to 30.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 27 July 2025
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Anthony Wood, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Key Facts The annual Perseid meteor shower peaks on Tuesday, Aug. 12, through Wednesday, Aug. 13, but is unlikely to deliver the 75 ‘shooting stars’ per hour that would normally be visible because of an 84%-lit waning gibbous moon.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
What are top 10 states for spotting a shooting star?
—Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2025
While the Perseids won’t produce a flurry of 50 to 100 shooting stars in late July and early August, the timing does provide the chance to watch for four meteor showers in one night, including two that will peak from July 29 to 30.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shooting star
Cite this Entry
“Shooting star.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shooting%20star. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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