lava

noun

la·​va ˈlä-və  ˈla- 

: 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

ˈlä-və-ˌlīk 

ˈla-

adjective

Examples of lava in a Sentence

a flow of molten lava

Recent Examples on the Web

On land, a volcanic eruption is dramatic—columns of ash, fountains of lava, a complete remaking of the terrain. — Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 31 July 2026

Garnish with black lava sea salt, cucumber, cilantro or jalapeño slices. — Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Etna sits near a subduction zone, yet its lava chemistry resembles hotspot volcanoes. — Refractor, 27 July 2026

Scientists think the heat detected beneath Io's surface could be rising steadily from the moon's molten interior through a conductive crust or coming from pockets of cooling lava flows trapped just below the surface. — Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 24 July 2026

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

Phrases Containing lava

• lava cake
• lava lamp

Rhymes for lava

• cava
• fava
• flava
• guava
• jahveh
• balaclava
• cassava

Kids Definition

lava

noun

la·​va ˈläv-ə  ˈlav- 

: melted rock coming from a volcano

also : such rock that has cooled and hardened