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
3a : a piece of flintb : a material used for producing a spark; especially : an alloy (as of iron and cerium) used in lighters
4 : something resembling flint in hardness
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Examples of flint in a Sentence
the flint in a cigarette lighter
Recent Examples of flint from the Web
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In the past few months, researchers have discovered flints from hunter-gatherers, arrows and ax-heads from Neolithic hunters, and Bronze-age burials, including urns containing human ashes.
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The slight advantage that Pirates have over Ninja comes in the form of the flint lock powder rifle or pistol.
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.
Did You Know?
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
First Known Use: before 12th century
Flint
playDefinition of Flint
Austin: father 1812–1886 and son 1836–1915 American physicians
Flint
playDefinition 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 Flintshireplay \-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
playDefinition of flint for English Language Learners
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: a hard type of rock that produces a small piece of burning material (called a spark) when it is hit by steel
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: a piece of flint
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: a piece of metal used for producing a spark
FLINT Defined for Kids
flint
playDefinition of flint for Students
: a very hard stone that produces a spark when struck by steel
Learn More about flint
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See words that rhyme with flint Spanish Central: Translation of flint Nglish: Translation of flint for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of flint for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flint
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