# meteorite

/ˈmitiɔˌɹaɪt/ (US) · /mˈiːtɪˌɔːɹaɪt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/meteorite
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a piece of rock or metal from space that has landed on the surface of the Earth.

For teachers: a solid piece of debris from an object, such as a comet, asteroid, or meteoroid, that originates in outer space and survives its passage through the atmosphere to reach the surface of a planet or moon.

## Examples

- Scientists found a small meteorite in the desert.
- The museum displays a massive iron meteorite that was discovered by a farmer in the late nineteenth century.
- By analyzing the chemical composition of the meteorite, researchers can gain valuable insights into the conditions of the early solar system billions of years ago.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.