alabaster

al·a·bas·ter | \ ˈa-lə-ˌba-stər

How to pronounce alabaster (audio)

\

Definition of alabaster

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a compact fine-textured usually white and translucent gypsum often carved into vases and ornaments

2 : a hard calcite or aragonite that is translucent and sometimes banded

Alabaster

geographical name

Al·a·bas·ter | \ ˈa-lə-ˌba-stər

How to pronounce Alabaster (audio)

\

Definition of Alabaster (Entry 2 of 2)

city in central Alabama south of Birmingham population 30,352

Other Words from alabaster Example Sentences Learn More about alabaster

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of alabaster in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Last year marked the opening of the Amos Rex Museum, a $58 million undertaking that consists of underground galleries with domed ceilings that bulge from the earth like alabaster foothills. — Liza Weisstuch, Washington Post, "Want a charming Nordic city without the corresponding prices? Try Estonia’s Tallinn.," 29 Aug. 2019 His alabaster skin, however, has been painted a rich shade of mocha. — Matt Stromberg, latimes.com, "Linda Vallejo and a decade of art that unapologetically embraces brownness," 20 June 2019 While apples, figs, bananas, and more are fashioned out of Italian alabaster, other materials were used elsewhere around the world. — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, "Feast Your Eyes on the Next Design Must-Have: Antique Marble Apples, Bananas, and Grapes Galore," 19 Oct. 2018 As the dig progressed, Woolley came upon yet more treasures in the tomb: weapons, tools, numerous vessels of bronze, silver, gold, lapis lazuli, and alabaster—even a gaming table. — National Geographic, "The royal tombs of Ur revealed Mesopotamia's golden splendor," 22 May 2019 Mix in different shades like ecru, alabaster, and ivory that will create a visual separation between your layers to amp up the visual interest. — Lauren Hubbard, ELLE Decor, "Why You Shouldn’t Underestimate the Simplicity of White," 1 May 2019 Start with a discreet, less grandiose overhead fixture—say, a pendant light with an alabaster globe that diffuses the glare. — Kathryn O’shea-evans, WSJ, "Goodbye, Showy Chandeliers. Hello, Low-Key Lighting That Transforms Rooms," 25 Jan. 2019 That is an impressive feat in and of itself, with few men willing to try out an alabaster look in the dead of a Utah winter. — Steff Yotka, Vogue, "Just Give In to Jeff Goldblum’s Winter White Sundance Vision," 30 Jan. 2019 My only previous mudbath experience involved lounging in an spa alabaster tub filled with grade-A minerals and sipping on cucumber water while someone gently massaged my scalp. — Zoe Weiner, Allure, "I Bathed in Colombia’s “Volcano of Youth” and My Skin Has Never Felt Softer," 23 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'alabaster.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about alabaster

Dictionary Entries near alabaster

Statistics for alabaster

Last Updated

19 Sep 2019

Time Traveler for alabaster

The first known use of alabaster was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

armistice

an agreement to stop fighting a war

Test Your Vocabulary

Confusing Words—A Quiz

I invented a brand new toaster robot and ______ it "Sir Toasts-a-Lot."

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.