chondrite

noun

chon·​drite ˈkän-ˌdrīt How to pronounce chondrite (audio)
: a meteoric stone characterized by the presence of chondrules
chondritic adjective

Examples of chondrite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The researchers revealed that the water in carbonaceous chondrite meteorites is similiar to the water in Earth’s oceans. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024 The Massalia family, on the other hand, is responsible for a type of meteorite called L chondrites, which make up 37 percent of Earth’s meteorites. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Oct. 2024 In other words, chondrites are the perfect meteorites to study for clues about the origin of our solar system. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Oct. 2024 In all, chondrites make up 85 percent of the meteorites found on Earth. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for chondrite 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Chondrit, from Greek chóndros "grain (of wheat, salt, etc.)" + German -it -ite entry 1 — more at chondro-

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chondrite was in 1883

Dictionary Entries Near chondrite

Cite this Entry

“Chondrite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chondrite. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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