gypsum

noun gyp·sum \ ˈjip-səm \

|Updated on: 6 Jun 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

In areas with sodic soils, gypsum (calcium sulfate) is effective at removing salt and building structure.

— OregonLive.com, "Should I pinch off blueberry blossoms? What fertilizer is best? Ask an expert," 28 Apr. 2018
Much less common, however, is gypsum sand, which gives White Sands National Monument in New Mexico its name.

— Discover Magazine, "20 Things You Didn't Know About ... Sand," 18 May 2018
Although the dump has not accepted methane-rich residential garbage for many years, wood, gypsum board and other construction debris also produce gases, including methane and hydrogen sulfide.

— jesse leavenworth, Courant Community, "Work At Manchester Dump Meant To Curb Stink," 11 May 2018
At the Instituto Pirenaico de Ecologia, Heiden will do research centering on assessing plant responses to gypsum levels in soil.

— jeff piorkowski/special to cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "A curling gold medal for Shaker team; University Hts. parade happenings; more: Press Run," 11 May 2018
To the untrained eye, many White Sands moths look exactly the same: roughly one-inch wingspan, with fluffy gray bodies and wings the distinct white color of the gypsum dunes.

— laura poppick, Smithsonian, "Dissecting Moth Genitals In the Name of Science," 4 May 2018
Each year 500,000 people visit New Mexico’s White Sands National Monument to hike and frolic among gypsum dunes.

— ben guarino, BostonGlobe.com, "Fossil footprints show a human chasing an extinct giant sloth," 26 Apr. 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
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

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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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