granite

noun

gran·​ite ˈgra-nət How to pronounce granite (audio)
1
: a very hard natural igneous rock formation of visibly crystalline texture formed essentially of quartz and orthoclase or microcline and used especially for building and for monuments
2
: unyielding firmness or endurance
the cold granite of Puritan formalismV. L. Parrington
granitelike adjective
granitic adjective
granitoid adjective

Examples of granite in a Sentence

had the granite to see the project out to the end
Recent Examples on the Web Each home is highlighted by handsome hardwood floors flowing through the main living areas, ceramic tile floors gracing most of the bathrooms and laundry rooms, and gorgeous quartz and granite countertops and oversized kitchen islands. Weichert Realtors® Welch & Company, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2024 Hexagonal asphalt tiles were placed and granite blocks were laid out in intricate herringbone and basket-weave patterns, forming the distinctive path that is now traversed by 42 million visitors every year. Anna Kodé, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 In trials, millimeter waves have bored holes through granite, basalt, sandstone, and limestone. IEEE Spectrum, 12 Mar. 2024 And in 2011, the ground underneath the monument shook because of a rare 5.8-magnitude Virginia earthquake, causing the granite and marble site to close for more than two years and costing up to $15 million in repairs. Lateshia Beachum, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024 Two climbers were scaling Mother’s Buttress, a granite wall popular with rock climbers in western Colorado, on Saturday, Feb. 17, the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release and on Facebook. Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 20 Feb. 2024 Part of the great tomb was once cloaked in granite blocks rather than limestone. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Feb. 2024 Experts believe the unfinished nature of the granite cladding indicates that King Menkaure died before the structure was finished and his son completed the stonework. Ayat Al-Tawy, ABC News, 2 Feb. 2024 Elsewhere, the kitchen features a sink carved into granite. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2024

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

Italian granito, from past participle of granire to granulate, from grano grain, from Latin granum

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of granite was in 1646

Dictionary Entries Near granite

Cite this Entry

“Granite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/granite. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

granite

noun
gran·​ite ˈgran-ət How to pronounce granite (audio)
1
: a very hard rock that can be polished and is used in buildings and monuments
2
: unyielding firmness (as of character, will, or opinion)

More from Merriam-Webster on granite

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