diamond

1 of 3

noun

di·a·mond ˈdī-(ə-)mənd

often attributive

Synonyms of diamond next

: native crystalline carbon that is the hardest known mineral, that is usually nearly colorless, that when transparent and free from flaws is highly valued as a precious stone, and that is used industrially especially as an abrasive

also : a piece of this substance

: crystallized carbon produced artificially

: something that resembles a diamond (as in brilliance, value, or fine quality)

: a square or rhombus-shaped figure usually oriented with the long diagonal vertical

: a playing card marked with a stylized figure of a red diamond

diamonds plural in form but singular or plural in construction : the suit comprising cards marked with diamonds

: a baseball infield

also : the entire playing field

diamond

2 of 3

verb

diamonded; diamonding; diamonds

transitive verb

: to adorn with or as if with diamonds

diamond

3 of 3

adjective

: of, relating to, or being a 60th or 75th anniversary or its celebration

diamond jubilee

Example Sentences

Noun a necklace studded with diamonds and rubies The ruby was surrounded by a ring of diamond. The children cut the fabric into diamonds. one heart, two diamonds, and two clubs He played the queen of diamonds. Adjective the celebration of Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee in 1897 See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Proposing with a Kay Jewelers custom Neil Lane marquise diamond ring in the HALL Arts Hotel, Burleson was ready to take the next step after dating since early 2021. —

Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 15 Jan. 2023 On December 25, the musical icon shared a photo on Twitter of a giant diamond ring in a pear shape being held by Edwards, displaying the jewelry box and his flame manicure design. —

Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 26 Dec. 2022 Indeed, no one throws a diamond ring away, and our jewelry creations are crafted for eternity and passed down through generations. —

Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2022 A few years later, Ryan knelt down on one knee with a bespoke diamond ring from Rachel Boston Jewellery. —

Lauren Tappan, Town & Country, 19 Dec. 2022 West Washington Street: Someone found a diamond ring and turned it into police 12:29 p.m. Dec. 2. —

Joan Rusek, cleveland, 14 Dec. 2022 Spears posts a photo of her sharing a sweet kiss with Asghari while flaunting her dazzling custom four-carat diamond ring, which is engraved on the inside with Asghari's pet name for Britney, lioness. —

Sabrina Park, Harper's BAZAAR, 12 Dec. 2022 Each nail was a treasure chest of sparkling surprises, including a literal diamond ring on her pinky, a square and heart-shaped emerald on her middle finger, and even cherries and a jeweled butterfly on one hand. —

Kara Nesvig, Allure, 5 Dec. 2022 In fact, Queen Mary, King George V and King George VI reportedly frequented the property and etched their signatures on the windowpanes using a diamond ring. —

Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 5 Dec. 2022

Verb

Instead, they were drawn to the idea that diamonds represent authenticity. —

Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, 11 July 2018 The Del Paso Youth Baseball league has not used the Johnston Park diamonds in two years, according to a staff report. —

Anita Chabria, sacbee, 24 Apr. 2017 They are accused of burglarizing Tustin Village Jewelers, Diamonds Direct in Laguna Hills, Nick’s Jewelry and Watch Craft in Fullerton and Mimi’s Jewelry and Ballard and Ballard Jewelry in Fountain Valley. —

Orange County Register, 20 Jan. 2017

Adjective

Meanwhile, non-diamond engagement rings also trending in 2022, with sapphire being the second most popular gemstone after moissanite. —

Pema Bakshi, refinery29.com, 18 Aug. 2022 The Alpine Eagle Frozen is fully set, which means even the bracelet is completely paved with diamonds – there is no non-diamond-bracelet option. —

Carol Besler, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2021 Diamond experts say the gem could be the 10th-largest ever discovered and initially pegged its value at $50 million. —

Alpha Kamara, USA TODAY, 4 July 2017 Diamond’s facility in the county is Pump Station #1 in San Diego, where large-scale waterfalls help dilute the wastewater entering the treatment plant. —

Kristina Davis, sandiegouniontribune.com, 3 June 2017 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English diamaunde, from Middle French diamand, from Late Latin diamant-, diamas, alteration of Latin adamant-, adamas hardest metal, diamond, from Greek

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1751, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1872, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of diamond was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Diamond.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diamond. Accessed 29 Jan. 2023.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

diamond

noun

di·a·mond

ˈdī-(ə-)mənd

: a very hard stone of crystallized carbon that is used as a precious gem and industrially as a powder for grinding, smoothing, or polishing and in cutting tools

: a piece of this stone especially when cut and polished

: a shape that is formed by four equal straight lines and has two opposite acute angles and two opposite obtuse angles

: a playing card marked with a red diamond-shaped figure

plural : the suit made up of cards marked with diamonds