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Definition of meteor

meteor

/ˈmiːtiər/
me · te · or
Adverb:meteorically
•
Plural:meteors
•
Adjective:meteoric
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meteor Lexical Profile

meteor Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A small body of matter from outer space that enters the Earth's atmosphere, becoming incandescent as a result of friction and appearing as a brief, glowing streak of light.

Example

"We stayed up late on a clear night hoping to see a meteor flash across the sky during the Perseid shower."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for meteor

Word Nuance & Usage

Often confused with 'meteoroid' (the debris floating in space) and 'meteorite' (the physical fragment that actually hits the ground); a 'meteor' specifically refers to the visible streak of light seen in the atmosphere.

• Rhymes for meteor

• Nearby Words

metaphor
metapneumovirus
metasequoia
meteor
meteorite
meteorology
meter

Word Origin & Etymology

Late 15th century, from Middle French 'meteore' or Medieval Latin 'meteorum', ultimately derived from the Greek 'meteōron' meaning 'phenomenon in the sky' or 'thing high up' (from 'meta-' meaning 'beyond' and 'aeirein' meaning 'to lift').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Meteor. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/meteor
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