What does meteor mean?
A meteor is the streak of light seen when a small object from space enters Earth's atmosphere at high speed. Friction causes the object and surrounding gases to become extremely hot and luminous, producing the familiar moving point or trail commonly called a shooting star. The term refers to the atmospheric phenomenon, not to the object itself: the incoming body is a meteoroid, while a fragment that survives its passage and reaches the ground is a meteorite. Some meteors are faint and easily overlooked, whereas exceptionally bright ones are called fireballs or bolides. Groups of meteors appearing to radiate from one point in the sky form a meteor shower, a phenomenon associated especially with regular annual periods of increased activity. Although “meteor” can sound like a poetic synonym for “star,” modern scientific and general usage distinguish these temporary atmospheric visitors from stars, meteors, and planets.
A luminous streak in the sky caused by a space object passing through Earth's atmosphere and becoming intensely hot.
"The meteor crossed the sky in a bright line."
The term denotes the luminous phenomenon. The incoming object is a meteoroid, and one that reaches the ground is a meteorite.
An exceptionally bright meteor, especially one described as a fireball or bolide.
"Witnesses reported a brilliant meteor over the mountains."
This narrower sense is especially associated with fireballs and bolides that are unusually luminous or long-lasting.
The standard plural is “meteors.”
"Meteors appeared throughout the evening."
The familiar “shooting star” is the meteor; if a piece survives the journey and hits the ground, it becomes a meteorite.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does meteor come from?
The word comes through Medieval Latin from Greek meteōron, meaning “something high up,” ultimately associated with meteōros, “high” or “raised.” The modern English sense developed from the older use of “meteors” for phenomena appearing in the atmosphere, especially lights or luminous bodies. Its relatives include meteorology, concerning atmospheric phenomena, and meteorite, a surviving fragment that reaches Earth's surface.
Related word forms
How meteor is actually used
In modern usage, a meteor specifically refers to the light phenomenon rather than the incoming object or the material on the ground. The informal expression “shooting star” is widely understood, though it can imply a meteor rather than a visible trail in every scientific context.
Easily confused with meteor
A meteor is the luminous atmospheric streak, whereas a meteorite is the solid object or fragment that survives and reaches the ground.