shooting star

noun

1. meteor ( def 1b ).
2. Also called American cowslip, any of several North American plants of the genus Dodecatheon, especially D. meadia, having pink or white flowers with reflexed petals and stamens forming a pointed beak.

shooting star

noun

1. an informal name for meteor

Word History and Origins

Origin of shooting star¹

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

Look to the skies late on Sunday night into early Monday morning and you may well see some shooting stars as the Leonid meteor shower peaks.

From BBC

These tiny particles burn up with the friction of the Earth's atmosphere and leave a streak of light through the sky - the meteor, which is sometimes referred to as a shooting star.

From BBC

Streaks of light, commonly referred to as shooting stars, appear in the night sky when a piece of dust or other debris encounters the Earth’s atmosphere and burns up.

From Los Angeles Times

The meteors, which are sometimes referred to as shooting stars, will appear as streaks of light in the evening sky.

From BBC

Give your eyes around 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness and either sit or lie down and you should start to see some shooting stars - the meteors.

From BBC