granite

noun

gran·​ite ˈgra-nət How to pronounce granite (audio)
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 formalismV. L. Parrington
granitelike adjective
granitic adjective
granitoid adjective

Examples of granite in a Sentence

had the granite to see the project out to the end
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for granite

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of granite was in 1646

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Granite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/granite. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

granite

noun
gran·​ite ˈgran-ət How to pronounce granite (audio)
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)

More from Merriam-Webster on granite

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