meteors Definition
- 1a small body of matter from outer space that enters the earth's atmosphere, becoming incandescent as a result of friction and appearing as a streak of light.
- 2a starlike body seen at night, moving very quickly across the sky, which is thought to be a meteor that has entered the earth's atmosphere
Using meteors: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "meteors" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
We saw several meteors in the sky last night.
Example
The meteor shower was a spectacular sight.
Example
The meteor exploded before it hit the ground.
Example
The museum has a collection of meteorites.
meteors Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for meteors
- meteorite
- shooting star
Phrases with meteors
a celestial event in which a number of meteors are seen to radiate from one point in the night sky
Example
The annual Perseid meteor shower is visible in August.
a rare and intense meteor shower in which hundreds or thousands of meteors can be seen per hour
Example
The Leonid meteor storm in 1833 was so intense that people thought the world was ending.
a small rocky or metallic body in outer space, smaller than an asteroid and larger than a molecule
Example
Meteoroids are the source of most meteors that enter the Earth's atmosphere.
Summary: meteors in Brief
A 'meteor' [ˈmiːtiəz] refers to 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 streak of light. It can also refer to a starlike body seen at night, moving very quickly across the sky, which is thought to be a meteor that has entered the Earth's atmosphere. 'Meteors' can be seen in events like 'meteor shower' and 'meteor storm,' and are the source of most 'meteoroids.'
