karst

noun

ˈkärst 

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

karstic

ˈkär-stik 

adjective

Examples of karst in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

April 2026 brings the new 14-day Treasures of the East itinerary from Vietnam to Shanghai, a ride that includes stops to see the dramatic karst landscapes of Ninh Binh and the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, as well as the chance to sample the famous dim sum of Guangzhou’s historic Shamian Island. —Ann Shields, AFAR Media, 26 Aug. 2025

Its towering limestone karsts rising from emerald waters were the backdrop of several scenes in Jurassic Park: Rebirth. —Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025

There’s a reason Ha Long Bay attracts 2.6 million visitors each year—its karsts are otherworldly. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 18 June 2025

Officials told state media that of the 206 karst caves inspected in the area, two-thirds were polluted to some degree. —Karla Cripps, CNN Money, 17 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

German, from Slovene dialect or Croatian dialect kras, kars, type of rock, region composed of such rock

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for karst

• arced
• parsed

Geographical Definition

Karst

geographical name

ˈkärst 

variants or Kras

ˈkräs 

or Italian Carso

ˈkär-(ˌ)sō 

limestone plateau northeast of the Istrian Peninsula in western Slovenia extending into eastern Italy