lithometeor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Highly technical (meteorology, atmospheric science)
Quick answer
What does “lithometeor” mean?
A meteorological phenomenon consisting of solid, non-aqueous particles suspended in the atmosphere.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A meteorological phenomenon consisting of solid, non-aqueous particles suspended in the atmosphere.
Any solid particle, such as dust, smoke, sand, or volcanic ash, suspended or carried by the wind in the atmosphere, distinguished from hydrometeors (liquid or ice particles).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant usage differences exist, as the term is exclusively scientific.
Connotations
Purely technical and descriptive in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low-frequency term used only in specialised meteorological literature and reports in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “lithometeor” in a Sentence
The [sky/air] contained a high density of lithometeors.Satellite instruments detected [lithometeors] over the desert.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lithometeor” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The lithometeoric load was measured by the aircraft.
American English
- Lithometeoric particles can affect climate modeling.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in atmospheric science, meteorology, geology, and environmental science papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
The primary context. Found in meteorological reports, scientific instruments' documentation, and research on air quality or climate.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “lithometeor”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “lithometeor”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lithometeor”
- Using it to describe a storm or weather event (e.g., 'a lithometeor hit the city'). It describes the particles, not the event.
- Confusing it with 'meteor' (a space rock entering the atmosphere).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialised scientific term used almost exclusively in meteorology and atmospheric science.
Indirectly. The sandstorm is the event; the moving sand particles *are* the lithometeors. You would say 'a sandstorm consists of lithometeors'.
A lithometeor is a solid, non-aqueous particle (dust, sand, ash). A hydrometeor is composed of liquid water or ice (rain, snow, cloud droplets, hail).
No. Public forecasts use common terms like 'dust', 'haze', 'smoke', or 'ash'. The term is for scientific classification and reporting.
A meteorological phenomenon consisting of solid, non-aqueous particles suspended in the atmosphere.
Lithometeor is usually highly technical (meteorology, atmospheric science) in register.
Lithometeor: in British English it is pronounced /ˌlɪθəʊˈmiːtɪɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌlɪθoʊˈmiːtiər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: LITHO (stone/rock) + METEOR (atmospheric phenomenon). It's a 'stone' or solid particle in the atmosphere, unlike rain or snow (water).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'lithometeor'?