Geminids

American

[jem-uh-nidz] / ˈdʒɛm ə nɪdz /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

a collection of meteors making up a meteor shower Geminidmeteorshower visible around December 13, having its apparent origin in the constellation Gemini.

Etymology

Origin of Geminids

Gemin(i) + -id ¹ + -s ³

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Until recently, scientists thought the Geminids were a result of dust escaping from 3200 Phaethon.

From BBC • Dec. 12, 2025

This should help viewing conditions as there will be less light pollution at a time when the Geminids have been known to produce over 120 meteors per hour.

From BBC • Dec. 6, 2025

The debris causing the Geminids, an annual event, originated from an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon, according to NASA.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 17, 2024

About 10 days before the Geminids are expected to reach maximum, there will be a full moon.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 17, 2024

Whilst most meteor showers are associated with comets, the Geminids are very different, because they are caused by debris from an asteroid.

From BBC • Dec. 13, 2024

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023