quartz

noun

ˈkwȯrts 

1

: a mineral consisting of silicon dioxide occurring in colorless and transparent or colored hexagonal crystals or in crystalline masses

2

: a quartz crystal that when placed in an electric field oscillates at a constant frequency and is used to control devices which require precise regulation

a quartz watch

quartzose

ˈkwȯrt-ˌsōs 

adjective

Examples of quartz in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On the Mohs scale of hardness, which runs from 1 to 10, andesite is a 7, similar to quartz and more resistant than a steel nail. — Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 23 July 2026

The new kitchen had modern appliances and a large quartz counter, while the bright finished basement had a full bathroom. — Gabe Castro-Root, New York Times, 16 July 2026

That changed in the 1970s and 1980’ with quartz watches, which just need batteries. — Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2026

Rabolini imbued his designs with a similar sensibility, crafting jewels in sculptural and curvaceous gold, often embellished with vibrant gemstones that felt anything but conventional, from lemon quartz and prasiolite, to London blue topaz. — Laurie Brookins, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

German Quarz

First Known Use

circa 1631, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing quartz

• fused quartz
• quartz glass
• quartz heater
• quartz-iodine lamp
• smoky quartz

Rhymes for quartz

• courts
• forts
• morts
• portes
• ports
• quarts
• schwarz
• shorts
• snorts
• sorts
• sports
• thwarts

Kids Definition

quartz

noun

ˈkwȯ(ə)rts 

: a common mineral consisting of silicon dioxide that is often found in the form of colorless transparent crystals but is sometimes (as in amethysts, agates, and jaspers) brightly colored

Medical Definition

quartz

noun

ˈkwȯ(ə)rts 

: a mineral SiO₂ consisting of a silica that occurs in colorless and transparent or colored hexagonal crystals and also in crystalline masses