meteorite

American  

[mee-tee-uh-rahyt] / ˈmi ti əˌraɪt /

noun

1. a mass of stone or metal that has reached the earth from outer space; a fallen meteoroid.

2. a meteoroid.

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meteorite British  

/ ˌmiːtɪəˈrɪtɪk, ˈmiːtɪəˌraɪt /

noun

1. a rocklike object consisting of the remains of a meteoroid that has fallen on earth. It may be stony (chondrite), iron, or stony iron (pallasite) See chondrite

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meteorite Scientific  

/ mē′tē-ə-rīt′ /

1. A meteor that reaches the Earth's surface because it has not been burned up by friction with the atmosphere. Meteorites are believed to be fragments of comets and asteroids.

2. ◆ Meteorites that consist mostly of silicates are called stony meteorites and are classified as either chondrites or achondrites.

3. ◆ Meteorites that consist mostly of iron are called iron meteorites.

4. ◆ Meteorites that consist of a mixture of silicates and iron are called stony-iron meteorites.

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Other Word Forms

• meteorital adjective
• meteoritic adjective
• meteoritical adjective

Etymology

Origin of meteorite

First recorded in 1815–25; meteor + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

In addition, the elevated platinum levels persisted for about 14 years, indicating a sustained process rather than a sudden event like a meteorite or comet impact.

From Science Daily • Mar. 20, 2026

The experiments included exposure to powerful shock waves comparable to those created by meteorite impacts on Mars, as well as perchlorate salts, which are toxic compounds known to exist in Martian soil.

From Science Daily • Feb. 8, 2026

Russian investigators have prevented a giant meteorite fragment being smuggled to Britain disguised as a garden ornament, the Federal Customs Service reported Thursday.

From Barron's • Feb. 5, 2026

The huge specimen weighing more than 2.5 tonnes is believed to have come from the Aletai meteorite, one of the largest known iron meteorites on Earth, it said.

From Barron's • Feb. 5, 2026

I notice he doesn’t have his meteorite bag and see out the window it’s probably going to pour any minute, but we need to get out of here.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson