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 kitchen area includes ample space for cooking on granite countertops. —Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 23 Nov. 2025

Instead, my own memory of Rushmore is composed of concrete and pine, granite and patriotism. —Literary Hub, 21 Nov. 2025

Torres del Paine National Park is home to miles-long glaciers, turquoise-blue lakes, towering granite peaks, waterfalls and rare wildlife. —Isa Cardona, CNN Money, 18 Nov. 2025

Bill Roy Hudgens’s grave, marked by a simple granite slab. —Ahmed Naji, The Dial, 18 Nov. 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)