meteorite

1 of 2

noun

me·​te·​or·​ite ˈmē-tē-ə-ˌrīt How to pronounce meteorite (audio)
: a meteor that reaches the surface of the earth without being completely vaporized
meteoritic
ˌmē-tē-ə-ˈri-tik How to pronounce meteorite (audio)
adjective
or less commonly meteoritical
ˌmē-tē-ə-ˈri-ti-kəl How to pronounce meteorite (audio)

meteoritic

2 of 2

adjective

me·​te·​or·​it·​ic
variants or meteoritical
-ə̇kəl How to pronounce meteoritic (audio)
: of, relating to, or caused by meteorites
meteoritic crater
meteoritic hypothesis

Examples of meteorite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
This large crater was created about 50,000 years ago when a meteorite hit the Earth. — Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 18 June 2026 But some studies, including one co-authored by Bryson, found that there was hydrogen in the meteorites all along. — Quanta Magazine, 12 June 2026 Difference from meteorites, meteoroids Rocks in space are known as meteoroids. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 17 June 2026 Finding meteorites The meteors that are large enough to make it through the Earth’s atmosphere and crash into the surface are called meteorites. — Adam Lark, Scientific American, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for meteorite

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1811, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of meteorite was in 1811

Rhymes for meteorite

See All Rhymes for meteorite

Browse Nearby Words

meteorital
meteorite
meteoritic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Meteorite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meteorite. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

meteorite

noun
me·​te·​or·​ite ˈmēt-ē-ə-ˌrīt How to pronounce meteorite (audio)
: a meteor that reaches the surface of the earth

More from Merriam-Webster on meteorite

Nglish: Translation of meteorite for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about meteorite

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