The term “meteor” is a piece of arcana referring to any atmospheric phenomenon, such as a cloud, or lightning. Meteors as we know them were not understood, and the association of found meteorites with the percieved “meteor” was controversial. So the term was analogous to “UFO”, in referring to an unknown phenomenon in general terms.
“Meteor” as a general term fell out of use and is now reserved for the particular phenomenon that we understand very well, for the most part. However its is still phenomenological, referring to the observed appearance, and not any cause or object associated with it.
Hence, we have “meteoroid” for a rock in space, and “meteorite” for whatever makes it to the ground, but what is it when it is seen producing the “meteor” that we see? A nice question, but a purely rhetorical one.
A meteoroid is a modestly-sized rock (up to boulder size) anywhere in the solar system, and the visual appearance upon entering the atmosphere is called a meteor.
I concede this is not particularly important information and I am just keeping the thread alive