granite

noun

gran·​ite ˈgra-nət 

1

: a very hard natural igneous rock formation of visibly crystalline texture formed essentially of quartz and orthoclase or microcline and used especially for building and for monuments

2

: unyielding firmness or endurance

the cold granite of Puritan formalism

—V. L. Parrington

granitelike

ˈgra-nət-ˌlīk 

adjective

granitic

gra-ˈni-tik 

adjective

granitoid

ˈgra-nə-ˌtȯid 

adjective

Synonyms

• decision
• determination
• decisiveness
• resolve

Examples of granite in a Sentence

had the granite to see the project out to the end

Recent Examples on the Web

Built in 1929, this 37-floor art deco high-rise was designed by the Burnham Brothers and is clad in distinctive black granite, green and gold terra cotta, gold leaf and bronze trim. —Brian E. Clark, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025

It was built on a bluff made of pink granite surrounded by the river Armançon. —Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025

Stunning from the outset is a walkway of Italian black granite pavers that leads to a welcoming porch and glassy front doors. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 10 Aug. 2025

The statue stands on a circular black granite plinth facing the corner surrounded by concentric seating and walls inscribed with names of Black residents the city forced off their land in the 1950s to make way for the park. —Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian granito, from past participle of granire to granulate, from grano grain, from Latin granum

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for granite

• gannet
• planet
• intranet
• pomegranate

Kids Definition

granite

noun

gran·​ite ˈgran-ət 

1

: a very hard rock that can be polished and is used in buildings and monuments

2

: unyielding firmness (as of character, will, or opinion)