galena

noun

ga·​le·​na gə-ˈlē-nə How to pronounce galena (audio)
: a bluish-gray cubic mineral with metallic luster consisting of lead sulfide and constituting the principal ore of lead

Examples of galena in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web At some point it was also used to house goats, but then the discovery of galena turned the site into a mining operation. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 29 Sep. 2023 That is the historical consensus where eyeliner was used for multiple purposes and, uh, made from very natural substances, um, mineral substances such as malachite and galena. Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Dec. 2023 When the mineral galena, an ore of lead, was found in the cave, miners began excavating in 1857. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Oct. 2023 Glass vessels, highly decorative pottery, jewelry and evidence of cosmetics -- as the mineral galena, which was crushed and mixed with oil to create makeup -- was also discovered. Jeevan Ravindran, CNN, 11 Jan. 2022 The most abundant naturally occurring form of lead is in galena, a lustrous metallic mineral made of lead and silver. Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 18 Nov. 2019 This corresponds to the spread of Phoenician traders and settlers from their home cities in the Levant into the western Mediterranean, and the consequent exploitation of galena mines in Iberia. The Economist, 19 May 2018 Extracting silver from galena involves boiling off the lead. The Economist, 19 May 2018 In addition to the giant trilobite, the design includes the state mineral (galena), a microscope, nautiloid shell, stone spearpoint, and a glass jar for all the dinosaur bones found in Wisconsin. Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10 Oct. 2017

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

borrowed from Latin galēna, of obscure origin

First Known Use

1671, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of galena was in 1671

Dictionary Entries Near galena

Cite this Entry

“Galena.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/galena. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

galena

noun
ga·​le·​na gə-ˈlē-nə How to pronounce galena (audio)
: a bluish gray mineral with metallic luster that consists of sulfide of lead and that is the principal ore of lead

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