comet

noun

com·et ˈkä-mət

: a celestial body that appears as a fuzzy head usually surrounding a bright nucleus, that has a usually highly eccentric orbit, that consists primarily of ice and dust, and that often develops one or more long tails when near the sun

cometary

ˈkä-mə-ˌter-ē

adjective

cometic

kə-ˈme-tik

kä-

adjective

Examples of comet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The location change means some riverside New Jersey residents will be treated to firework designs like cross rings, strobing comets, and waterfalls (but no such luck for Brooklyn this year). —

Juliet Izon, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 June 2024 Monthly skywatcher's guide to 2024:Eclipses, full moons, comets and meteor showers When is the full moon? —

Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 21 May 2024 Meteor showers happen when the Earth passes through debris trails left by comets. —

Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2024 Meanwhile, The Comet, an apocalyptic tale written in 1920, concerns a Black man and a White woman in New York City who emerge as the only survivors after a comet strike has wiped out humankind. —

Jordan Riefe, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for comet

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'comet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English comete, from Old English cometa, from Latin, from Greek komētēs, literally, long-haired, from koman to wear long hair, from komē hair

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of comet was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Comet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comet. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

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Kids Definition

comet

noun

com·et ˈkäm-ət

: a bright heavenly body that develops a cloudy tail as it moves closer to the sun in its orbit

Etymology

Old English cometa "comet," from Latin cometa (same meaning), from Greek komētēs, literally, "long-haired," derived from komē "hair" — related to coma entry 2

Last Updated: 7 Jul 2024 - Updated example sentences

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comet

noun

Examples of comet in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near comet

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition