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

Limestone is a rock made largely of the mineral calcite, which dissolves easily in water. —Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 31 July 2025

Over thousands of years, water flowing through limestone dissolves the calcite and gradually erodes the rock, creating hollow spaces and underground formations. —Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 31 July 2025

With an impressive rock collection, guests can purchase a polished rock of crystal or various minerals like selenite, green calcite, apophyllite, citrine, obsidian, rose quartz, pink tourmaline and more. —Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 27 July 2025

Marble was, at one point, alive: The metamorphic rock is forged from the calcite shells of innumerable sea creatures. —Meara Sharma, The Dial, 22 July 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