Chondrites are a type of stony meteorite that contain small, spherical mineral grains called chondrules. The word "chondrites" can be used interchangeably with other terms to describe these meteorites, such as "stony chondrites," "chondritic meteorites," or simply "chondrites." Additionally, different classes of chondrites have their own names, such as "carbonaceous chondrites" or "ordinary chondrites." These meteorites are important to scientists because they provide insights into the early history of our solar system, as they are believed to have formed around the same time as the planets and contain clues about the conditions present during this time.