calcite

noun

cal·​cite ˈkal-ˌsīt 

: a mineral CaCO₃ consisting of calcium carbonate crystallized in hexagonal form and including common limestone, chalk, and marble compare aragonite

calcitic

kal-ˈsi-tik 

adjective

Examples of calcite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Crafted from calcite, the artifacts were discovered across various archaeological sites, including the famed tomb of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 Nov. 2025

The goal was to find calcite or pyrite crystals that had formed in those interstices as they were washed with mineral-rich fluids. —Katherine Kornei, Space.com, 1 Nov. 2025

Recent identification of calcite — a form of calcium carbonate — in the fossil eggshells suggested that the eggs would be good candidates for U-Pb dating, researchers reported Thursday in the journal Frontiers in Earth Science. —Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025

The sound of the metal tips of my trekking poles scraping against the calcite rock was impossible to muffle. —Katie Jackson, Outside, 11 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for calcite

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

calcite

noun

cal·​cite ˈkal-ˌsīt 

: a mineral substance made up of calcium carbonate and found in numerous forms including limestone, chalk, and marble

calcitic

kal-ˈsit-ik 

adjective

Medical Definition

calcite

noun

cal·​cite ˈkal-ˌsīt 

: a mineral CaCO₃ consisting of calcium carbonate crystallized in hexagonal form and including common limestone, chalk, and marble

calcitic

kal-ˈsit-ik 

adjective