meteor
UK: ˈmiː.ti.ɔː | US: ˈmiː.ti.ɚ
n. a small piece of matter from outer space that enters Earth's atmosphere, appearing as a streak of light
n. (archaic) any atmospheric phenomenon (e.g., rain, wind)
The word "meteor" originates from Greek meteōros (raised, lofty), reflecting ancient observations of celestial phenomena "high in the sky." By the 15th century, it narrowed to describe luminous streaks caused by space debris burning in the atmosphere. Earlier, it broadly denoted atmospheric events like rain or lightning (e.g., "meteorology" still retains this wider sense).
A bright meteor streaked across the night sky.
Ancient astronomers documented meteors as divine omens.
The science museum displayed a fragment of a meteorite.
Meteor showers peak in August every year.
Aristotle classified winds as a type of meteor.