micrometeorite

American  

[mahy-kroh-mee-tee-er-ahyt] / ˌmaɪ kroʊˈmi ti ərˌaɪt /

noun

micrometeorites plural

1. Geology. a micrometeoroid that has traveled through Earth's atmosphere and fallen to the ground.

---

micrometeorite British  

/ ˌmaɪkrəʊˈmiːtɪəˌraɪt /

noun

1. a tiny meteorite having a diameter of 10–40 micrometres, found esp in rainwater and seawater, having entered the atmosphere as a micrometeoroid (extremely small meteoroid)

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• micrometeoritic
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• micrometeorites
  plural

Example Sentences

The university said the pits may be connected to underground cave networks that could provide natural shelter from harmful radiation and micrometeorite impacts, as well as harbour water ice.

From BBC • Oct. 8, 2025

"The micrometeorite collisions trigger chemical reactions on magnetite and lead to the formation of the iron nitride."

From Science Daily • Dec. 1, 2023

It added that its equipment had registered "the event of a micrometeorite impact".

From Reuters • Aug. 19, 2023

The telescope had barely set up shop when it was pelted by a larger-than-expected micrometeorite, which left a tiny crater in one of the telescope’s mirror segments.

From New York Times • Apr. 18, 2023

Multiple layers also better protect against micrometeorite hits.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 23, 2021