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
Examples of graphite in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There’s a graphite reel seat and six guides that are built to last.
—
Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 31 July 2025
In theory, silicon offers roughly 10 times the energy density of graphite in lithium-ion batteries.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 July 2025
What’s special about the pack is its chemistry, including a silicon anode which has 10 times the energy capacity of graphite, according to New Atlas.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 29 July 2025
Morelle looks to implement that massive gain in charging speed by leveraging a burgeoning battery chemistry that's been frequently explored in other industries, including electric vehicles and consumer electronics: swapping out the standard graphite anode in favor of silicon.
—New Atlas, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for graphite
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.
Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 31 July 2025
In theory, silicon offers roughly 10 times the energy density of graphite in lithium-ion batteries.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 July 2025
What’s special about the pack is its chemistry, including a silicon anode which has 10 times the energy capacity of graphite, according to New Atlas.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 29 July 2025
Morelle looks to implement that massive gain in charging speed by leveraging a burgeoning battery chemistry that's been frequently explored in other industries, including electric vehicles and consumer electronics: swapping out the standard graphite anode in favor of silicon.
—New Atlas, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for graphite
Cite this Entry
“Graphite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/graphite. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share