Quadrantids

American

[kwo-dran-tidz] / kwɒˈdræn tɪdz /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

a collection of meteors comprising a meteor shower Quadrantidmeteorshower visible around January 31 and having its apparent origin in the constellation Boötes.

Etymology

Origin of Quadrantids

1875–80; < New Latin Quadrant- (stem of Quadrāns, in Quadrāns ( Mūrālis ) (mural) quadrant, obsolete constellation name) + -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.

The Quadrantids have a narrow peak of a few hours and this year are competing with a bright, full Moon.

From BBC • Jan. 3, 2026

The Quadrantids are active from 28 December and are one of the strongest and most consistent meteor showers of the year.

From BBC • Dec. 6, 2025

The annual Quadrantids meteor shower will hit peak visibility, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere with around 25 meteors per hour, according to Ed Krupp, director of Griffith Observatory.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 2, 2025

The Geminids and Quadrantids displays come around in December and January respectively.

From Salon • Aug. 9, 2024

And to complicate things, the Quadrantids, which start every New Year's Day and last four days, were giving him additional trouble.

From Pushbutton War by Schoenherr, John

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