meteor

noun

me·​te·​or ˈmē-tē-ər 

-ˌȯr

1

: an atmospheric phenomenon (such as lightning or a snowfall)

2

a

: any of the small particles of matter in the solar system that are directly observable only by their incandescence from frictional heating on entry into the atmosphere

b

: the streak of light produced by the passage of a meteor

Examples of meteor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But despite how intertwined the two appear in the photo, Masi writes, the coiling afterglow of the meteor is actually quite far from the tail of Comet Lemmon. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 27 Oct. 2025

Astronomers say late October is still best time to watch these meteors, which can streak by at 20 per hour. —Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Oct. 2025

Astronomers say late October is still best time to watch these meteors, which can streak by at 20 per hour. —John Tufts, IndyStar, 23 Oct. 2025

However, while real stars are massive, glowing balls of gas located light-years away from Earth, meteors are usually just tiny bits of rock or dust—often no bigger than a grain of sand—that come from comets or asteroids. —Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English metheour, from Middle French meteore, from Medieval Latin meteorum, from Greek meteōron, from neuter of meteōros high in air, from meta- + -eōros, from aeirein to lift

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing meteor

• meteor shower

Kids Definition

meteor

noun

me·​te·​or ˈmēt-ē-ər 

-ē-ˌȯ(ə)r

: one of the small bodies of matter in the solar system observable when it falls into the earth's atmosphere where the heat of friction may cause it to glow brightly for a short time

also : the streak of light produced by the passage of a meteor