halite

noun

ha·lite ˈha-ˌlīt

ˈhā-

: salt that is in the form of large pieces or crystals : rock salt

In crystals of halite there are ions of two different kinds … The smaller ones are those of sodium, and the larger ones are those of chlorine.—

Sheldon Judson and Marvin E. Kauffman

Halite occurs chiefly in sedimentary rocks where it has been deposited by evaporation from sea water or salt lakes …—

W. A. Deer et al.

A small, choppy gravel road off state highway 178 takes us to the heart of this truly lunar landscape. The pinnacles surround us. Made of silty halite, they stand up to 2 ft. high. They are formed of the salt left behind from the evaporation of ground water.—

Scott Oldham

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Most sodium is obtained nowadays by processing the mineral halite, also known as sodium-chloride or common table salt. —

David Bressan, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2022 Most sodium is obtained nowadays by processing the mineral halite, also known as sodium-chloride or common table salt. —

David Bressan, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2022 Rocks are constructed, and while some cells are too sluggish to escape and are entombed by the silica, most squirm upward to the surface, leaving a network of holes that is filled in with salty water and ultimately coated with halite. —

Jeffrey Marlow, Discover Magazine, 28 Nov. 2016 Scientists analyzed halite samples from 830 million years ago using optical techniques. —

Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 17 May 2022 Microorganisms found in the halite shrink and greatly reduce biological activity when host waters become too salty, the researchers said. —

Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 17 May 2022 Most sodium is obtained nowadays by processing the mineral halite, also known as sodium-chloride or common table salt. —

David Bressan, Forbes, 4 July 2021 The team of scientists led by Nigel Blamey found tiny bubbles of air from around 800 million years ago trapped in samples of halite, which is the rock version of table salt. —

Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, 25 July 2016 See More

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