tektite

noun

tek·​tite ˈtek-ˌtīt 

: a glassy body of probably meteoritic origin and of rounded but indefinite shape

tektitic

tek-ˈti-tik 

adjective

Examples of tektite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The researchers also noted low water content in the samples, which are characteristic of tektites more generally. — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 3 Mar. 2026

In the same layer, known as the K-Pg Boundary, geologists would find tektites — bits of earth that shot into space when the asteroid hit, turned glassy with the heat of the atmosphere, and fell back to the surface. — Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 28 Aug. 2024

The first clues leading to the impact site came from small, pebble-like glassy objects called tektites. — Michelle Lim, CNN, 9 Jan. 2020

The composition of those beads, or tektites, further suggests that they were formed when a massive asteroid slammed into the Earth with the force of 10 billion Hiroshimas and ended the Cretaceous period. — David Von Drehle, Twin Cities, 22 July 2019

These tektites formed in the Earth atmosphere in the aftermath of the asteroid or comet smashing into the Earth. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, 1 Apr. 2019

Tree resin at the site managed to catch some tektites before becoming fossilized as amber. — Michael Greshko, National Geographic, 31 Mar. 2019

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Greek tēktos molten, from tēkein to melt — more at thaw

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tektite

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight