meteorite

noun

me·​te·​or·​ite ˈmē-tē-ə-ˌrīt 

: a meteor that reaches the surface of the earth without being completely vaporized

meteoritic

ˌmē-tē-ə-ˈri-tik 

adjective

or less commonly meteoritical

ˌmē-tē-ə-ˈri-ti-kəl 

Examples of meteorite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

First there would need to be a lava flow from the lunar interior that acts as a bit of lunar asphalt on which an organically, or potentially bio-rich meteorite or planetary fragment would serendipitously fall onto the lunar surface. —Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025

As Nix and Hydra are hit by small meteorites, debris from their surfaces may be flung into space due to their small mass and low gravity. —Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2025

Zenith may have been a little late to the meteorite party, but better late than never. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 Aug. 2025

Two of the events were the result of a pair of meteorite impacts that each created a 492-foot-wide crater. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 28 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for meteorite

• actinolite
• adipocyte
• amphibolite
• anorthosite
• anthophyllite
• aragonite
• carbonatite
• cassiterite
• cristobalite
• crocidolite
• diatomite
• dithionite

Kids Definition

meteorite

noun

me·​te·​or·​ite ˈmēt-ē-ə-ˌrīt 

: a meteor that reaches the surface of the earth