micrometeorite

noun

mi·​cro·​me·​te·​or·​ite ˌmī-krō-ˈmē-tē-ə-ˌrīt How to pronounce micrometeorite (audio)
1
: a meteorite so small that it can pass through the earth's atmosphere without becoming intensely heated
2
: a very small particle in interplanetary space
micrometeoritic adjective

Examples of micrometeorite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
There are micrometeorites and occasional larger impacts. Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2024 The moon is bombarded by micrometeorites, which continuously eject icy material. science.org, 19 Sep. 2024 Polaris Dawn is also going to be venturing to a part of space no one has reached since the 1970s, which comes with possible hazards of extra radiation and micrometeorites that could potentially puncture a space suit. Briley Lewis, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2024 Researchers have considered two main reasons for the creation of the moon’s atmosphere: micrometeorite strikes and solar wind. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for micrometeorite 

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of micrometeorite was in 1949

Dictionary Entries Near micrometeorite

Cite this Entry

“Micrometeorite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/micrometeorite. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

micrometeorite

noun
mi·​cro·​me·​te·​or·​ite ˌmī-krō-ˈmēt-ē-ə-ˌrīt How to pronounce micrometeorite (audio)
: a very small particle in space

More from Merriam-Webster on micrometeorite

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