: a dark gray to black dense to fine-grained igneous rock that consists of basic plagioclase, augite, and usually magnetite
Examples of basalt in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Dine at the 53-foot-long communal table constructed from a single 17-ton slab of hand-cut basalt.
—
Laura Manske, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Some rocks, such as Oman’s ophiolites or Indonesia’s basalts, are far more reactive than others.
—Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Sedona’s superstars are its vivid sandstone, limestone, shale and basalt formations, sculpted by millions of years of geologic tumult.
—New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
The type of hydrogen the company is searching for is created by water that seeps through the earth’s surface or rises through the core and interacts with iron-rich rock — like basalt — underground, creating gas that collects there.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for basalt
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Laura Manske, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Some rocks, such as Oman’s ophiolites or Indonesia’s basalts, are far more reactive than others.
—Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Sedona’s superstars are its vivid sandstone, limestone, shale and basalt formations, sculpted by millions of years of geologic tumult.
—New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
The type of hydrogen the company is searching for is created by water that seeps through the earth’s surface or rises through the core and interacts with iron-rich rock — like basalt — underground, creating gas that collects there.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for basalt
Cite this Entry
“Basalt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/basalt. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
: a dark gray to black usually fine-grained igneous rock
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share