Definition

A piece of rock or metal from space that survives its journey through the atmosphere and lands on Earth.

Example

Scientists study meteorites to learn more about the early solar system.

Conversation

Did you hear about that meteorite that landed near the park?

Yeah, I saw it on the news! It looked massive.

I wonder if anyone got a piece of the meteorite for study.

That would be cool! Scientists could learn a lot from it.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Meteorite → It is formed from "meteōros" (meaning high in the air) and "-ite" (a suffix used in geology to denote a type of rock or mineral). The word "meteorite" refers to a rock or mineral that originates from a meteoroid that survives its passage through the Earth's atmosphere and lands on the surface.

Memory Tip

Imagine a rock that comes from high in the air — 'meteōros' means high, and '-ite' indicates it's a type of rock. This helps you remember that a meteorite is a rock that falls from the sky.

Visually Confused Words