karst

noun \ ˈkärst \

Updated on: 4 May 2018

Definition of karst

: an irregular limestone region with sinkholes, underground streams, and caverns

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karstic

play \ˈkär-stik\ adjective

Recent Examples of karst from the Web

For long stretches, hikers plod across karst limestone slabs jutting out at tenuous angles.

— alex crevar, WSJ, "Hiking in Croatia: How to Master Some of the World’s Rarest Views," 24 Apr. 2018
Many of the world's clothes hangers originate in two-story warehouses on the road to Lipu, a steamy town in southern China where the river flows between towering karst formations and vendors sell the sweetest taro.

— jessica meyers, latimes.com, "A victim of its own industrial success, China's hanger capital is now just hanging on," 23 Apr. 2018
These other users included Nonn, who decided to pursue a PhD in environmental science with a focus on the biology of rare endemic geckos living at limestone karsts.

— tibor krausz, The Christian Science Monitor, "Why this Thai businessman was named a ‘biodiversity hero’," 4 Apr. 2018
Foliage clings, improbably, to dramatic karst formations that rise out of the sea like shards of green glass on Misool’s edge.

— mark johanson, chicagotribune.com, "Paradise takes many forms on this Indonesian archipelago," 23 Mar. 2018
Initial examination of the karst feature in early February showed that the limestone bed that forms the cave ceiling was scored and thinner where the utility lines were installed.

— craig hlavaty, Houston Chronicle, "More details released about the prehistoric cave uncovered in the middle of a Texas neighborhood," 28 Feb. 2018
Part of a karst, a geological term for a piece of land comprised of limestone, this artesian spring contains a cave-like system of passageways that reach depths of approximately 140 feet with two caverns stretching more than 5,000 feet in length.

— jennifer nalewicki, Smithsonian, "Dive Into Five of the World’s Deepest Freshwater Swimming Holes," 26 July 2017
Part of a karst, a geological term for a piece of land comprised of limestone, this artesian spring contains a cave-like system of passageways that reach depths of approximately 140 feet with two caverns stretching more than 5,000 feet in length.

— jennifer nalewicki, Smithsonian, "Dive Into Five of the World’s Deepest Freshwater Swimming Holes," 26 July 2017
Part of a karst, a geological term for a piece of land comprised of limestone, this artesian spring contains a cave-like system of passageways that reach depths of approximately 140 feet with two caverns stretching more than 5,000 feet in length.

— jennifer nalewicki, Smithsonian, "Dive Into Five of the World’s Deepest Freshwater Swimming Holes," 26 July 2017

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