flint

noun \ ˈflint \

|Updated on: 11 Jul 2018

Examples: flint in a Sentence

Editor's Note: It Isn't Hard to Learn the Meaning of flint

Definition of flint

1 : a massive hard dark quartz that produces a spark when struck by steel

2 : an implement of flint used in prehistoric cultures

3 a : a piece of flint

b : a material used for producing a spark; especially : an alloy (as of iron and cerium) used in lighters

4 : something resembling flint in hardness

—

flintlike

play \ˈflint-ˌlīk\ adjective

See flint defined for English-language learners

See flint defined for kids

Examples of flint in a Sentence

the flint in a cigarette lighter

Recent Examples of flint from the Web

The Port of Dover lurks in the shadow of the chalk and flint.

— georgina voss, The Atlantic, "Brexit Could Cripple Britain’s Ports," 20 June 2018
At Middle and Lower Paleolithic sites across Europe and the Middle East, for example, archaeologists have found several flint and chert flakes with lines etched into the stones' chalky outer layer—the cortex.

— kiona n. smith, Ars Technica, "Neanderthals etched a message on this 36,000-year-old stone tool," 3 May 2018
There are lids festooned with flint arrowheads, Civil War Minie balls, Amtrak train keys, Pez dispensers — even $1 million in shredded greenbacks from the Federal Reserve Bank in San Antonio.

— allen g. breed, chicagotribune.com, "The 'King of the Commode' seeks an heir to his thrones," 23 May 2018
Ed Reiter held a piece of flint in one hand and a piece of steel in the other, striking them together to create sparks that would light some tinder.

— gloria casas, Elgin Courier-News, "Elgin Civil War Experience offers window to both national and local history," 9 June 2018
The use of flints to start fire may have occurred as far back as 400,000 years ago, but concrete evidence only comes from as recently as 40,000 years ago.

— andrew c. scott, Time, "When Did Humans Discover Fire? The Answer Depends on What You Mean By 'Discover'," 1 June 2018
Discover the history and art of flint knapping, and learn how archaeologists identify and date these tools.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Windham Edition," 15 May 2018
The scratches on this flake of flint may not look much but they were made with deliberation by a Neanderthal man or woman.

— The Economist, "Scratches on a stone may evince Neanderthal creative urges," 3 May 2018
Rock enthusiasts and artisans demonstrate the process of flint knapping.

— gege reed, The Courier-Journal, "Things to do around Louisville this week: Auto show, B3 Bash, Kid Rock & more," 17 Jan. 2018

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

It Isn't Hard to Learn the Meaning of flint

A somewhat impure variety of quartz, flint is usually gray to brown or nearly black in color. It is very hard, producing a spark when struck with steel. Flint provided one of the main sources of tools and weapons for Stone Age people. It is used today as an abrasive agent on sandpapers and in mills that grind raw materials for the ceramic and paint industries.

Origin and Etymology of flint

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German flins pebble, hard stone

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Archaeology Terms

Attic, Byzantine, Paleolithic, cairn, core, horizon, neolithic, shard, stratum

Flint

biographical name \ ˈflint \

Definition of Flint

Austin: father 1812–1886 and son 1836–1915 American physicians

Flint

geographical name \ ˈflint \

Definition of Flint

1 river 265 miles (426 kilometers) long in western Georgia flowing south and southwest into Lake Seminole

2 city in southeast central Michigan north-northwest of Detroit population 102,434

3 or Flintshire play \ˈflint-ˌshir, -shər\ administrative area of northeastern Wales bordering England and the Irish Sea area 169 square miles (438 square kilometers), population 152,506

FLINT Defined for English Language Learners

flint

noun

Definition of flint for English Language Learners

: a hard type of rock that produces a small piece of burning material (called a spark) when it is hit by steel
: a piece of flint
: a piece of metal used for producing a spark