NEO
Abbreviation with 4 meanings
| Stands for | Near-Earth object |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 4 |
| Categories | Science & Engineering, Military, Medical, Geography & Places |
| Also written | Neo |
NEO has four meanings. The most common are Near-Earth object (astronomy & Space) and Noncombatant evacuation operation (military term); it can also stand for Neo-Synephrine (phenylephrine) and Northeast Ohio.
Meanings of NEO at a glance
| # | NEO stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Near-Earth object | Science & Engineering › Astronomy & Space |
| 2 | Noncombatant evacuation operation | Military › Military Term |
| 3 | Neo-Synephrine (phenylephrine) | Medical › Drug |
| 4 | Northeast Ohio | Geography & Places › Region |
1. Near-Earth object
Science & Engineering · Astronomy & Space Abbreviations
Asteroid or comet whose orbit brings it within 1.3 astronomical units of the Sun, and so potentially near Earth's orbit. Telescopic surveys track tens of thousands of NEOs to identify any that might collide with Earth, and space agencies plan responses through planetary defense programs.
Example: The NEO passed safely at about twice the distance to the Moon.
The 2013 Chelyabinsk meteor, an object about 20 meters across, injured some 1,500 people, mostly from broken glass, highlighting the risk from small NEOs. NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies at JPL computes orbits and impact probabilities. The NEO Surveyor space telescope is designed to find hazardous asteroids in infrared light.
2. Noncombatant evacuation operation
Military · Military Term Abbreviations
Military operation to evacuate civilians, usually US citizens and other designated people, from a foreign country facing violence, disaster or collapse, coordinated with the State Department.
Example: The NEO from Kabul in August 2021 evacuated more than 120,000 people.
The State Department decides when an evacuation is needed, and the military provides transport and security. Earlier NEOs included evacuations from Saigon in 1975 and from Lebanon in 2006. Evacuees are usually flown to a safe third country before onward travel.
3. Neo-Synephrine (phenylephrine) (Neo)
Medical · Drug Abbreviations
Hospital nickname for phenylephrine, from the brand name Neo-Synephrine, that ISMP includes on its list of error-prone abbreviations. Anesthesia clinicians give "neo" boluses or infusions to treat low blood pressure, especially after spinal anesthesia.
Example: Gave neo 100 mcg IV x 2 for BP 80/40 after spinal.
Phenylephrine is a pure alpha-1 agonist that raises blood pressure but can slow heart rate by reflex. As an oral decongestant it was found ineffective by an FDA advisory committee in 2023, and the FDA proposed removing it from OTC cold products in 2024. "Neo" is also shorthand for neonatal and for the antibiotic neomycin.
4. Northeast Ohio
Geography & Places · Region Abbreviations
Region around Cleveland, Akron, Canton and Youngstown, used by local media, businesses and economic development groups.
Example: Startups in NEO can tap research from the Cleveland Clinic and Case Western.
In astronomy NEO means near-Earth object, an asteroid or comet whose orbit comes close to Earth.
Related abbreviations
More astronomy & Space abbreviations
- MEO – Medium Earth orbit
- MOND – Modified Newtonian dynamics
- Mpc – Megaparsec
- NEA – Near-Earth asteroid
- NGC – New General Catalogue
- NS – Neutron star
- pc – Parsec
- PHA – Potentially hazardous asteroid
See all 83 astronomy & Space abbreviations →
More military term abbreviations
- NCOER – Noncommissioned Officer Evaluation Report
- NCOIC – Noncommissioned officer in charge
- NDAA – National Defense Authorization Act
- NEC – Navy Enlisted Classification
- NEX – Navy Exchange
- NFZ – No-fly zone
- NIPRNet – Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network
- NJP – Nonjudicial punishment
See all 248 military term abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.