diatomaceous earth

noun

: a light friable siliceous material derived chiefly from diatom remains and used especially as a filter

Examples of diatomaceous earth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Home Depot suggests pesticides like diatomaceous earth for hard-to-reach spots like the back of cabinets or along the exterior of your home. —Rachel Wegner, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Sep. 2025

The rice husk, which is mixed with diatomaceous earth — a porous material consisting of fossilised diatoms — provides thermal insulation, repels pests and resists humidity. —Faye Bradley, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025

Sprinkle diatomaceous earth near the entry points of your home, such as around baseboards, windowsills, and doors. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 July 2025

Winemakers frequently point to the diatomaceous earth deposits - stark white, silica-rich rock formed from microscopic algae - as a defining feature. —Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for diatomaceous earth

• afterbirth
• berth
• birth
• dearth
• firth
• girth
• mirth
• worth
• childbirth
• rebirth
• stillbirth
• tamworth

Kids Definition

diatomaceous earth

noun

: a light crumbly material that is made up mostly of the silica-containing skeletons of dead diatoms and is used especially as a filter

Medical Definition

diatomaceous earth

noun

: diatomite