meteoroid

noun

me·​te·​or·​oid ˈmē-tē-ə-ˌrȯid 

1

: a meteor particle itself without relation to the phenomena it produces when entering the earth's atmosphere

2

: a meteor in orbit around the sun

meteoroidal

ˌmē-tē-ə-ˈrȯi-dᵊl 

adjective

Examples of meteoroid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the past, government data from a sensor network used to detect nuclear detonations has been used to help pinpoint the impact point of space junk or meteoroids. —Eric MacK, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025

The debris – space rocks known as meteoroids – collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky, according to NASA. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025

Some astronomers believe that there might be a sparse stream of meteoroids which Earth might encounter during the final week of April. —Joe Rao, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2025

If meteoroids survive their trip to Earth without burning up in the atmosphere, they are called meteorites, NASA says. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for meteoroid

• albuminoid
• arytenoid
• cannabinoid
• carotenoid
• epidermoid
• epithelioid
• paraboloid
• subarachnoid
• underemployed
• adenoid
• alkaloid
• amoeboid

Kids Definition

meteoroid

noun

me·​te·​or·​oid ˈmēt-ē-ə-ˌrȯid 

: a meteor revolving around the sun