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

The arch is proposed to be clad in granite and topped with three golden statues and have an observation deck. — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026

There were beautiful boulevards, sweeping bridges over the Moskva River, wide Stalin-era avenues lined with imposing granite buildings, and quiet nineteenth-century neighborhoods of pastel-colored mansions. — Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026

The cellar had been hacked out of granite boulders and wouldn’t budge. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 11 Sep. 2026

For another geological lure, Kolymbithres Beach in Paros features giant white granite rocks sculpted by the sea into other-worldly formations. — Jennifer Tzeses, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 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)