gypsum

noun gyp·sum \ ˈjip-səm \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

Definition of gypsum

1 : a widely distributed mineral consisting of hydrous calcium sulfate that is used especially as a soil amendment and in making plaster of paris

2 : drywall

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Recent Examples of gypsum from the Web

By the end of 2016, Curiosity had cleared the dunes and was rolling across veins of gypsum.

— avi selk, Washington Post, "Curiosity’s five-year journey across Mars — in one stunning photo," 3 Feb. 2018
By the end of 2016, Curiosity had cleared the dunes and was rolling across veins of gypsum.

— avi selk, Washington Post, "Curiosity’s five-year journey across Mars — in one stunning photo," 3 Feb. 2018
Wear a dust mask when sanding to block airborne gypsum and silica particles.

— merle henkenius, Popular Mechanics, "How to Repair Drywall," 8 Feb. 2017
By the end of 2016, Curiosity had cleared the dunes and was rolling across veins of gypsum.

— avi selk, Washington Post, "Curiosity’s five-year journey across Mars — in one stunning photo," 3 Feb. 2018
Homes built since the 1950s have walls that are constructed using drywall, whereas older homes have walls made of plaster over a wood, gypsum, or metal lathe.

— timothy dahl, Popular Mechanics, "How to Remove Wallpaper," 7 Feb. 2018
By the end of 2016, Curiosity had cleared the dunes and was rolling across veins of gypsum.

— avi selk, Houston Chronicle, "Mars rover sends back stunning panorama," 4 Feb. 2018
By the end of 2016, Curiosity had cleared the dunes and was rolling across veins of gypsum.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Curiosity's five-year journey across Mars - in one stunning photo," 4 Feb. 2018
Buried a thousand feet underground, the gypsum pillars in Mexico’s appropriately named Cave of Crystals are the largest natural crystals known.

— National Geographic, "10 Strange Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About Earth," 5 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gypsum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of gypsum

Latin, from Greek gypsos

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

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GYPSUM Defined for English Language Learners

gypsum

noun

Definition of gypsum for English Language Learners

: a white mineral that is used to make plaster of paris

Medical Dictionary

gypsum

noun gyp·sum \ ˈjip-səm \

medical Definition of gypsum

: a widely distributed mineral CaSO₄·2H₂O consisting of hydrous calcium sulfate that is used especially as a soil amendment and in making plaster of paris