concretion

noun con·cre·tion \ kän-ˈkrē-shən , kən- \

Definition of concretion

1 : something concreted: such as

a : a hard usually inorganic mass (such as a bezoar or tophus) formed in a living body

b : a mass of mineral matter found generally in rock of a composition different from its own and produced by deposition from aqueous solution in the rock

2 : the act or process of concreting : the state of being concreted

concretion of ideas in a hypothesis

—

concretionary

play \kän-ˈkrē-shə-ˌner-ē, kən-\ adjective

See concretion defined for kids

Recent Examples of concretion from the Web

As calcite is a somewhat soluble mineral, the concretions weather away, leaving the holes.

— bulletin board, Twin Cities, "Sunday Bulletin Board: A goose in the air, mingling with the scent of skunk: It happens every spring!," 5 Mar. 2017
Most of the concretion that remains is in the interior, but even that is being peeled away to reveal gears, cranks, and some surprises—like a human tooth.

— arden dier, Fox News, "Inside Civil War sub: gears, cranks--and a tooth," 9 June 2017

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