diamond

1 of 3

noun

di·​a·​mond ˈdī-(ə-)mənd How to pronounce diamond (audio)
often attributive
1
a
: native crystalline carbon that is the hardest known mineral, that is usually nearly colorless, that when transparent and free from flaws is highly valued as a precious stone, and that is used industrially especially as an abrasive
also : a piece of this substance
b
: crystallized carbon produced artificially
2
: something that resembles a diamond (as in brilliance, value, or fine quality)
3
: a square or rhombus-shaped figure usually oriented with the long diagonal vertical
4
a
: a playing card marked with a stylized figure of a red diamond
b
diamonds plural in form but singular or plural in construction : the suit comprising cards marked with diamonds
5
: a baseball infield
also : the entire playing field

diamond

2 of 3

verb

diamonded; diamonding; diamonds

transitive verb

: to adorn with or as if with diamonds

diamond

3 of 3

adjective

: of, relating to, or being a 60th or 75th anniversary or its celebration
diamond jubilee

Examples of diamond in a Sentence

Noun a necklace studded with diamonds and rubies The ruby was surrounded by a ring of diamond. The children cut the fabric into diamonds. one heart, two diamonds, and two clubs He played the queen of diamonds. Adjective the celebration of Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee in 1897
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Crafted from 14-karat gold, the size 11 ½ ring weighs a substantial 59.6 grams and is set with an impressive 40 diamonds. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2024 The exclusive, custom Bose Ultra Open Earbuds were built with 14k yellow gold and finished with a stunning arrangement of diamonds. Quincy Green, Billboard, 14 Mar. 2024 After perfecting his craft since the young age of 15, Laurence Graff Obe decided to open his own brand, taking the most beautiful diamonds and surrounding them with smaller but equally as stunning diamond to create a signature halo shape. Alexis Bennett Parker, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2024 When diamonds broke 4-1, West won the fourth diamond, and South lost the rest. Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024 Purdy complimented his black tuxedo and suspenders with a white corsage, while Brandt accessorized her wedding day look with simple diamond drop earrings, a diamond necklace and tennis bracelet. Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 Hollywood’s top acts were also spotted wearing elaborate pieces in primary hues and wondrous diamonds. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 11 Mar. 2024 Jackson has put charms, pearls, and diamonds on sets in the past, but Sunday night's manicure on Brooks was a chance to bring a bit of symbolism and historical context to the red carpet. Leah Prinzivalli, Allure, 10 Mar. 2024 The actress chose not to wear a necklace with the look, opting instead for a set of jewelry by Bulgari including high jewelry earrings in pink gold and featuring diamonds, pink tourmalines, morganites and mandarin garnets. Degen Pener, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2024
Verb
On the neck, two triangle diamonds the size of almonds sit between the collarbones, mirroring each other. Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2023 Stone properties are major points of conversation in these halls (malachite is a 3 or 4 on the Moh’s Hardness scale, diamonds a 10), where visitors are surrounded by so many natural wonders—like a 3000-pound block of labradorite or two towering amethyst geodes or all those spodumene crystals. Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, 8 June 2023 Shop the collection on oldnavy.gap.com 58 of 84 Pandora This jeweler understands that diamonds the power statement jewelry: enter its latest Diamonds by Pandora range, a 33-piece collection of earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings made for the everyday woman. People Staff, Peoplemag, 22 June 2023 Instead, they were drawn to the idea that diamonds represent authenticity. Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, 11 July 2018 The Del Paso Youth Baseball league has not used the Johnston Park diamonds in two years, according to a staff report. Anita Chabria, sacbee, 24 Apr. 2017 They are accused of burglarizing Tustin Village Jewelers, Diamonds Direct in Laguna Hills, Nick’s Jewelry and Watch Craft in Fullerton and Mimi’s Jewelry and Ballard and Ballard Jewelry in Fountain Valley. Orange County Register, 20 Jan. 2017
Adjective
Barry Chin/Globe Staff When Oneil Cruz followed with a grounder to first, first baseman Triston Casas eschewed the sure out and instead elected to make a cross-diamond throw in hopes of getting the lead runner. Alex Speier, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Apr. 2023 The second most popular non-diamond gemstone? Nicole Kliest, refinery29.com, 10 Mar. 2022 Meanwhile, non-diamond engagement rings also trending in 2022, with sapphire being the second most popular gemstone after moissanite. Pema Bakshi, refinery29.com, 18 Aug. 2022 The Alpine Eagle Frozen is fully set, which means even the bracelet is completely paved with diamonds – there is no non-diamond-bracelet option. Carol Besler, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2021 Diamond experts say the gem could be the 10th-largest ever discovered and initially pegged its value at $50 million. Alpha Kamara, USA TODAY, 4 July 2017 Diamond’s facility in the county is Pump Station #1 in San Diego, where large-scale waterfalls help dilute the wastewater entering the treatment plant. Kristina Davis, sandiegouniontribune.com, 3 June 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diamond.' 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

Noun

Middle English diamaunde, from Middle French diamand, from Late Latin diamant-, diamas, alteration of Latin adamant-, adamas hardest metal, diamond, from Greek

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1751, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1872, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diamond was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near diamond

Cite this Entry

“Diamond.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diamond. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

diamond

noun
di·​a·​mond
ˈdī-(ə-)mənd
1
a
: a very hard stone of crystallized carbon that is used as a precious gem and industrially as a powder for grinding, smoothing, or polishing and in cutting tools
b
: a piece of this stone especially when cut and polished
2
: a shape that is formed by four equal straight lines and has two opposite acute angles and two opposite obtuse angles
3
a
: a playing card marked with a red diamond-shaped figure
b
plural : the suit made up of cards marked with diamonds
4
b
: the entire playing field in baseball or softball
Etymology

Noun

Middle English diamaunde "diamond," from early French diamant (same meaning), derived from Latin diamant-, diamas, an altered form of adimant-, adimas and adamant-, adamas "the hardest metal, diamond," from Greek adamant-, adamas (same meaning) — related to adamant

Word Origin
Diamond, the hardest substance found in nature, was known to the ancient Greeks. They called the gemstone adamas, using the same word they used for any unbreakable or indestructible substance, such as the hardest metal, or for anything unmovable. The stem of this word was adamant-. Later, Latin writers borrowed these Greek words, sometimes as adamant-, adamas and sometimes adimant-, adimas. The forms adamant-, adamas in time gave us the English noun adamant, meaning "an imaginary stone of great hardness," and the adjective adamant, meaning "firmly fixed or decided." The "i" forms in Latin were later changed from adimant-, adimas to diamant-, diamas and came to be used only for the gemstone which we now call diamond.

Biographical Definition

Diamond

biographical name

Di·​a·​mond ˈdī-(ə-)mənd How to pronounce Diamond (audio)
Peter A(rthur) 1940–     American economist
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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