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

• decidedness
• decision
• decisiveness
• determination
• determinedness
• firmness
• purposefulness
• resoluteness
• resolution
• resolve
• stick-to-itiveness

Examples of granite in a Sentence

had the granite to see the project out to the end

Recent Examples on the Web

To their surprise, archaeologists unearthed a false door made of pink granite, a first-of-its-kind find for the site. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025

Volcanic eruptions in the Massif Central gave birth to the granite rocks of the northern Rhône, while layers upon layers of calcareous marine deposits in the south gave rise to prominent sandstone formations. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2025

Yosemite’s timeless granite cathedrals and snow-melt-swollen waterfalls are awe-inspiring. —Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025

The city erected the park’s first military monument in 1950, a red granite homage to soldiers of the 36th Division that fought during World War I. —Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 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)