graphite

noun

graph·​ite ˈgra-ˌfīt 

1

: a soft black lustrous form of carbon that conducts electricity and is used in lead pencils and electrolytic anodes, as a lubricant, and as a moderator in nuclear reactors

2

: a composite material in which carbon fibers are the reinforcing material

graphitic

gra-ˈfi-tik 

adjective

Examples of graphite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2025, China imposed successive rounds of export controls on rare earth elements, gallium, germanium, and graphite – disrupting global supply chains and triggering European rare earth prices to spike up to six times higher than domestic Chinese levels. —Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2026

First of all, the use of powdered graphite as a dry lubricant certainly isn't a new idea. —Ben Coxworth march 27, New Atlas, 27 Mar. 2026

This session’s activity will be creating an architectural charcoal/graphite skating. —Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026

This created a fine, black carbon powder that was then heated to 392 degrees Fahrenheit to form a graphite-like solid called hard carbon. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

German Graphit, from Greek graphein to write

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for graphite

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

graphite

noun

graph·​ite ˈgraf-ˌīt 

: a soft shiny black carbon that is used in making lead pencils and as a dry lubricant

Medical Definition

graphite

noun

graph·​ite ˈgraf-ˌīt 

: carbon of a soft black lustrous form that conducts electricity and is used in lead pencils and electrolytic anodes, as a lubricant, and as a moderator in nuclear reactors

called also plumbago

graphitic

gra-ˈfit-ik 

adjective