[mee-tee-uh-rahyt] 
| 1. | a mass of stone or metal that has reached the earth from outer space; a fallen meteoroid. |
| 2. | a meteoroid. |
| me·te·or·ite (mē'tē-ə-rīt') n. A stony or metallic mass of matter that has fallen to the earth's surface from outer space. me'te·or·it'ic (-ə-rĭt'ĭk), me'te·or·it'i·cal adj. |
| meteorite (mē'tē-ə-rīt') Pronunciation Key
A meteor that reaches the Earth's surface because it has not been burned up by friction with the atmosphere. Meteorites are believed to be fragments of comets and asteroids. ◇ Meteorites that consist mostly of silicates are called stony meteorites and are classified as either chondrites or achondrites. ◇ Meteorites that consist mostly of iron are called iron meteorites. ◇ Meteorites that consist of a mixture of silicates and iron are called stony-iron meteorites. |
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