First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
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
1
: an atmospheric phenomenon (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
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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
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
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