lava

noun

la·​va ˈlä-və How to pronounce lava (audio) ˈla- How to pronounce lava (audio)
: molten rock that issues from a volcano or from a fissure in the surface of a planet (such as earth) or moon
also : such rock that has cooled and hardened
lavalike adjective

Examples of lava in a Sentence

a flow of molten lava
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Eventually Edward snaps an evil vampire’s neck (happy!), but girl werewolf Leah falls into the lava to save Esme Cullen (sad!). Wolfgang Ruth, Vulture, 1 May 2025 In September 2021, the Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted a few miles away, spewing lava down the hillside toward Puerto Naos and the nearby fishing village of La Bombilla and forcing the evacuation of over 1,000 people. Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Apr. 2025 Bustamante recalls the last time a volcano erupted in Guatemala was in 2019 where three indigenous communities were buried under the lava. Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 5 Apr. 2025 Another study published in 2024 built upon this discovery, identifying two locations where the formation of new rock may represent solidified lava from volcanic activity between 1990 and 1992. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lava

Word History

Etymology

Italian, ultimately from Latin labes fall; akin to Latin labi to slide — more at sleep

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lava was in 1759

Cite this Entry

“Lava.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lava. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

lava

noun
la·​va ˈläv-ə How to pronounce lava (audio) ˈlav- How to pronounce lava (audio)
: melted rock coming from a volcano
also : such rock that has cooled and hardened

More from Merriam-Webster on lava

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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