meteorite
meteorite Lexical Profile
meteorite Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A solid piece of debris from a celestial object, such as a comet, asteroid, or meteoroid, that originates in outer space and survives its passage through the atmosphere to reach the surface of a planet or moon.
"Scientists carefully analyzed the rare Martian meteorite found in Antarctica to search for clues about the planet's ancient atmosphere."
Word Nuance & Usage
The term 'meteorite' is strictly used for a space rock that has landed on Earth or another planetary body, distinguishing it from a 'meteoroid' (which is still in space) and a 'meteor' (the visible streak of light in the atmosphere).
• Rhymes for meteorite
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the early 19th century from the word 'meteor' (from Greek 'meteōron', meaning 'phenomenon in the sky') combined with the suffix '-ite', denoting a rock, mineral, or fossil.