chondrite

[ kon-drahyt ]

noun

1. a stony meteorite containing chondrules.

chondrite

/ kɒnˈdrɪtɪk; ˈkɒndraɪt /

noun

1. a stony meteorite consisting mainly of silicate minerals in the form of chondrules Compare achondrite

chondrite

/ kŏn′drīt′ /

1. A stony meteorite that contains chondrules embedded in a fine matrix of the silicate minerals olivine and pyroxene. About 85 percent of all meteorites are chondrites.

Derived Forms

• chondritic, adjective

Other Words From

• chon·drit·ic [kon-, drit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chondrite¹

First recorded in 1880–85; chondr- + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

The chemical composition of the asteroids, gleaned by telescopes, matched a set of rare meteorites called EL enstatite chondrites, they reported in 2022.

From Science Magazine

The Winchcombe meteorite belongs to a rare class of rocks known as carbonaceous chondrites.

From BBC

However, other studies have contradicted this by revealing a significant difference in reflectance spectra between Ryugu samples and CI chondrites.

From Science Daily

The researchers found that Phaethon's spectrum corresponds exactly to a certain type of meteorite, the so-called CY carbonaceous chondrite.

From Science Daily

Rare meteorites called enstatite chondrites have high metal contents and Psyche-like densities, but their parent body is thought to have formed closer to the Sun.

From Science Magazine