alabaster

noun

al·​a·​bas·​ter ˈa-lə-ˌba-stər 

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 adjective

or alabastrine

ˌa-lə-ˈba-strən 

Examples of alabaster in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Working with traditional carving methods, Cox has shaped materials like marble, alabaster, and porphyry. —Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025

This best seller from West Elm is versatile, well-crafted, and comes in two super accessible variations: alabaster bouclé and the dark green velvet. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 1 Apr. 2025

The tomb contained bronze tools, arrowheads, alabaster jars and a gold ring, highlighting the leader’s importance. —Stories By Real-Time News Team, With Ai Summarization, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2025

Nolen: The alabaster brow, the little dots of red in your cheek. —Stephanie Nolen, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English alabastre, from Anglo-French albastre, from Latin alabaster vase of alabaster, from Greek alabastros

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for alabaster

• burgomaster
• choirmaster
• quartermaster
• stationmaster
• aster
• blaster
• caster
• castor
• faster
• gaster
• laster
• master

Kids Definition

alabaster

noun

al·​a·​bas·​ter ˈal-ə-ˌbas-tər 

1

: a smooth usually white and nearly transparent gypsum used for carving (as vases)

2

: a hard calcite that is nearly transparent and sometimes has stripes

Geographical Definition

Alabaster

geographical name

Al·​a·​bas·​ter ˈa-lə-ˌba-stər 

city in central Alabama south of Birmingham population 30,352