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

These houses were once used for Rockport’s fishing and granite industry, and are now home to quaint shops, restaurants, and art galleries. —Megan Margulies, Travel + Leisure, 14 Oct. 2025

Wipe your granite countertops, and this will leave your countertops fresh and fragrant. —Lauren David, Southern Living, 14 Oct. 2025

Its mouth served as the quarry site for the granite blocks used in the construction of the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. —David Chiu, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025

The bar with full offerings has a backlit granite countertop, and there's seating for about a dozen. —Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 13 Oct. 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)