shale

noun

ˈshāl 

: a fissile rock that is formed by the consolidation of clay, mud, or silt, has a finely stratified or laminated structure, and is composed of minerals essentially unaltered since deposition

shaley adjective

or less commonly shaly

ˈshā-lē 

Examples of shale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, the U.S. currently stores military radioactive waste in low-permeability salt formations in New Mexico, and there are numerous pending proposals to store CO2 in sandstones overlain by low-permeability shales in North Dakota. —Naomi Oreskes, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2024

The Just Transition Fund, adopted in June 2021, aims to ease the employment effects of phasing out coal, peat, and shale by investing in low-carbon sectors such as wind and solar power. —Nathalie Tocci, Foreign Affairs, 14 Jan. 2022

The latest example of this industry consolidation came this week when ConocoPhillips announced its $17.1 billion all-stock deal to acquire Marathon Oil, which, like other recent supermajor acquisition targets, operates shale drilling sites across the country. —Will Daniel, Fortune, 29 May 2024

According to the listing in the Portable Antiquities Scheme’s database, the rock is probably mudstone or shale. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably from obsolete or dialect shale scale, shell, from Middle English, from Old English scealu — more at shell

First Known Use

1747, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing shale

• oil shale
• shale oil

Kids Definition

shale

noun

ˈshā(ə)l 

: a rock with a fine grain formed from clay, mud, or silt

shaley

ˈshā-lē 

adjective