meteor

noun me·te·or \ˈmē-tē-ər, -ˌȯr\

: a piece of rock or metal that burns and glows brightly in the sky as it falls from outer space into the Earth's atmosphere

Full Definition of METEOR

: an atmospheric phenomenon (as lightning or a snowfall)

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

See meteor defined for English-language learners

See meteor defined for kids

Origin of METEOR

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

Other Astronomy Terms

gibbous, nadir, nebulous, penumbra, retrograde, sidereal, syzygy, wane, wax, zenith

METEOR Defined for Kids

meteor

noun me·te·or \ˈmē-tē-ər\

Definition of METEOR for Kids

: one of the small pieces of matter in the solar system that enter the earth's atmosphere where friction may cause them to glow and form a streak of light