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 of granite

• 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

This goes for stone sinks, granite or marble counters, and soapstone. —Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 21 Feb. 2026

Two teams of four players take turns sliding 42-pound granite stones down a 150-foot-long sheet of ice toward a circular target called the house. —Mark Billingsley, Sacbee.com, 20 Feb. 2026

Trim Details Slab backsplashes—the use of a single slab of marble, quartz, porcelain, or granite instead of backsplash tile—are hugely popular. —Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026

Kennedy received a warning for that, and the double-touch controversy rumbled on for another 24 hours until World Curling put out a statement to remind everyone to keep their fingers off the granite, whether by accident or otherwise. —Matt Slater, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026

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)