meteorite
UK: ˈmiː.ti.ə.raɪt | US: ˈmiː.ti.ə.raɪt
n. a solid piece of debris from an object (such as a comet or asteroid) that originates in outer space and survives its passage through the atmosphere to reach the surface of a planet or moon
The word "meteorite" combines "meteor," derived from Greek meteōron (meaning "thing high up" or "atmospheric phenomenon"), with the suffix "-ite," used in geology to denote minerals or rocks. Originally, "meteor" referred to any celestial phenomenon (e.g., shooting stars), but by the 19th century, "-ite" was added to specify the physical remnant that lands on Earth. The term reflects the shift from observing atmospheric events to studying extraterrestrial material.
The museum displayed a rare iron meteorite found in the desert.
Scientists analyzed the meteorite to determine its age and composition.
A meteorite impact crater was discovered in the remote region.
The farmer stumbled upon a meteorite while plowing his field.
Meteorites provide valuable clues about the early solar system.