meteor Definition

meteor
noun

1. astron.
The streak of light seen when a meteoroid enters into the Earth's atmosphere, where it burns up as a result of friction. Also called shooting star. See also meteoroid, meteor shower, Compare meteorite.
Thesaurus: meteorite, meteoroid, comet, falling star, shooting star.

Etymology: 15c: from Latin meteorum, from Greek meteoron a thing in the air or up high.