Get the FREE one-click dictionary software for Windows
or the iPhone/iPad and Android apps
Noun: meteor  mee-tee-u(r) or 'mee-tee,or
  1. (astronomy) any of the small solid extraterrestrial bodies that hits the earth's atmosphere
    "The meteoroid became a meteor as it entered the atmosphere";
    - meteoroid
     
  2. A streak of light in the sky at night that results when a meteoroid hits the earth's atmosphere and air friction causes the meteoroid to melt, vaporize or explode
    "Children made wishes upon seeing a meteor streak across the night sky";
    - shooting star, falling star

Derived forms: meteors

Type of: extraterrestrial body, extraterrestrial object, light, visible light, visible radiation

Part of: meteor shower, meteor stream

Encyclopedia: Meteor, WI