meteor swarm: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “meteor swarm” mean?
A large group of meteors that appear to radiate from a single point in the sky, typically during a meteor shower.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large group of meteors that appear to radiate from a single point in the sky, typically during a meteor shower.
Metaphorically, any overwhelming or rapid influx of objects or events, resembling a dense, collective movement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; both varieties employ the term identically in astronomical contexts.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both dialects, with no additional cultural connotations.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in everyday language, but standard in specialized discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “meteor swarm” in a Sentence
[Subject] verb [meteor swarm] (e.g., We watched the meteor swarm)[Meteor swarm] verb [complement] (e.g., The meteor swarm illuminated the sky)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; may appear in contexts like space tourism or satellite risk assessment.
Academic
Common in astronomy research, textbooks, and papers discussing meteoroid streams.
Everyday
Used in casual conversation about stargazing or notable night sky events.
Technical
Standard term in meteoritics and orbital mechanics for dense meteoroid groups.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “meteor swarm”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “meteor swarm”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meteor swarm”
- Misspelling as 'metior swarm' or 'meteor sworm'.
- Mispronouncing 'meteor' with stress on the second syllable (e.g., /mɪˈtɪər/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A meteor swarm refers to a dense group of meteors within a meteor shower, often implying higher activity, while a meteor shower is the broader event involving numerous meteors over a period.
Meteor swarms are associated with specific annual meteor showers, but intense swarms or outbursts are less frequent, depending on comet debris trails.
Typically not dangerous to Earth's surface, but dense swarms could pose risks to satellites and spacecraft due to high-velocity particle impacts.
Best observed in dark, clear skies away from city lights during peak times of meteor showers, often in rural or designated stargazing areas.
A large group of meteors that appear to radiate from a single point in the sky, typically during a meteor shower.
Meteor swarm is usually technical/scientific in register.
Meteor swarm: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmiːtɪə swɔːm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmiːtiɚ swɔːrm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'swarm' of bees, but in the sky with 'meteors' instead—both are dense, moving groups.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SWARM IS A LARGE GROUP MOVING TOGETHER, projected from insects to celestial phenomena.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'meteor swarm' most accurately described as?