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

Nozzles are designed with amber-like handles to warm up the granite surfaces, and the Bottega Veneta products, without question, are worth pocketing. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

Take a walk down the mile-long granite pathway to the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse or relax in a chaise by the pool and order piña coladas straight to your seat. —Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2026

The construction will include roadway resurfacing, new granite curbs, widened concrete sidewalks, decorative streetlights, traffic signal changes, landscaping, raised crosswalks and site furniture, according to the project’s website. —Celia Gruber, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2026

Wipe your granite countertops, and this will leave your countertops fresh and fragrant. —Lauren David, Southern Living, 27 May 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)