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

My nails scratch the granite, my hands lose their grip. —Bailey Richards, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Imagine if a local quarry had a pile of small chips of this granite! —Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 2 Aug. 2025

Where granite meets brush or grassy terrain — especially around the base of the dome and along the Echo Canyon Trail — snake activity tends to increase. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 31 July 2025

Limestone is a relatively soft rock compared to granite, said Abolins. —Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 31 July 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)