4 syllables: Me, te, or, ites. Stress on Me.
MEE-tee-uh-reyets
/ˈmiːtiəɹaɪts/
Meteorites is pronounced MEE-tee-uh-reyets (/ˈmiːtiəɹaɪts/). It has four syllables (Me-te-or-ites), with the stress on "Me". Meteorites are solid fragments of space rocks that survive their fiery passage through Earth's atmosphere and reach the surface. The term also covers tiny grains of extraterrestrial matter found in meteorite samples. In geology and astronomy contexts, meteorites are studied for clues about the early solar system and the formation of planets.
nounMeteorites are solid fragments of space rocks that survive their fiery passage through Earth's atmosphere and reach the surface. The term also covers tiny grains of extraterrestrial matter found in meteorite samples. In geology and astronomy contexts, meteorites are studied for clues about the early solar system and the formation of planets.
"Astronomers recovered several meteorites after the meteor shower last week."
"The scientist analyzed a meteorite to determine its mineral composition."
"A fragment of a meteorite was displayed in the museum's space exhibit."
Say ME-tee-uh-rahits with stress on the first syllable. IPA US: /ˈmiːtiəˌraɪts/. UK/AU: /ˈmiːtɪəˌraɪts/. Break it into three clear parts: MEET-yuh-rites, but with the -o- as a schwa-ish reduction between tee and rites. Keep the final /raɪts/ strong and monosyllabic-laden within the ending. Audio reference: listen to a native speaker saying ‘meteorites’ or search for pronunciations on Pronounce, Forvo, or YouGlish to hear natural word flow.
Two common errors are compressing the middle syllable and misplacing stress. People often say me-TE-rite or mete-ORT-ites, reducing the middle vowel to a weak schwa or blending syllables too aggressively. Correct it by keeping three distinct syllables: ME-tee-uh-rites, with a clear /ti/ then /ə/ before /raɪts/. Practice by isolating iii: /ˈmiː/ + /ti/ + /ə/ + /raɪts, ensuring each vowel is audible.
In US, the first vowel tends toward a long /iː/ and the /ti/ is crisp; UK/AU often have a slightly shorter second vowel and a quicker transition to /raɪts/. US /ˈmiːtiəˌraɪts/ vs UK/AU /ˈmiːtɪəˌraɪts/. Rhoticity isn’t strongly affecting this word, but non-rhotic speakers may subtly de-emphasize post-t vowel. Listen for the difference in the /tiə/ vs /tɪə/ sequence and the final /raɪts/ stress staying on the first syllable.
The challenge lies in preserving three syllables and coordinating a light middle vowel with a clear final diphthong. The sequence /tiə/ or /tɪə/ can be tricky for non-native speakers, and the ending /raɪts/ demands a crisp /raɪ/ before the /ts/. Tongue position must slide from front-high for /iː/ to mid-central /ə/ and then to the rounded /aɪ/ before the final consonant cluster /ts/.
Mostly like “meet” when you use the long /iː/ in many dialects. Some speakers naturally reduce to a shorter /i/ depending on pace, but for precise meteorite pronunciation, aim for /ˈmiː/ as in “meat” but longer and held slightly on the vowel, then move to /tiə/ or /tɪə/. Always keep three clear syllables and avoid a clipped first syllable which would sound like /ˈmɪt/ or /ˈmit/.
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Meteorites derive from the Greek meteōros meaning high in the air, and the Latin -ites suffix indicating a diminutive or specimen. The root meteōros entered medieval Latin and early modern science, referring to things in the sky or atmospheric phenomena. The modern scientific sense—rock fragments that originate in outer space and reach Earth—emerged in the 19th century as astronomy and geology formalized the study of extraterrestrial matter. The word combines meteor- (from Greek meteōr, “high in the air”) with -ite, akin to minerals’ naming conventions (e.g., basalt, granite), signaling a tangible specimen. First used in scholarly contexts to describe fallen rock specimens observed after meteor events, meteorite terminology evolved with increased meteor astronomy, sample-containing expeditions, and curated collections in museums. Over time, “meteorite” became standard for recovered rock meteor phenomena, while “meteor” retained the broader atmospheric event sense. The plural form meteorites appeared in scientific writings to denote multiple recovered rocks, and today the term is common in geology, astronomy, and planetary science discourse.
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Words that rhyme with "Meteorites"
-tes sounds
-ies sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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