: molten rock that issues from a volcano or from a fissure in the surface of a planet (such as earth) or moon
also
: such rock that has cooled and hardened
Examples of lava in a Sentence
a flow of molten lava
Recent Examples on the Web
There's also a mesh screen included, as well as natural lava rocks, and the bronze finish meshes beautifully with almost any outdoor decor setup.
—
Kelsey Chapman, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024
That indicated the lava might be relatively fresh — the first hint that an undetected volcano might be lurking nearby.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024
Images show smoke, lava flowing from the volcanic eruption in Iceland
Contributing: Associated Press.
—USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024
In August 2022, lava filled a nearby valley during the Meradalir eruption, barely half a mile away.
—Maya Wei-Haas, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Feb. 2024
With new land being created by frequent lava flows, Iceland is renowned for its sensational geology, landscapes, and natural phenomena.
—David Nikel, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024
The landscapes are just as diverse—from Lanzarote’s lunar lava plains to the lush archipelago of Islas Cíes and the stunning rock formations in the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Nature Reserve (Europe’s only desert!).
—Siobhan Reid, Vogue, 27 Mar. 2024
Archeologists excavating Pompeii, a city that was buried under lava in 79 AD, found a house that was under construction when the disaster happened, according to Italy's Ministry of Culture.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2024
Lava continues to flow from the fissure, and a lava front extends to the west and the south, now about 820 feet from Suðurstrandarvegur – the main road on the southern coast of the Reykjanes Peninsula.
—USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024
Kelsey Chapman, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024
That indicated the lava might be relatively fresh — the first hint that an undetected volcano might be lurking nearby.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024
Images show smoke, lava flowing from the volcanic eruption in Iceland
Contributing: Associated Press.
—USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024
In August 2022, lava filled a nearby valley during the Meradalir eruption, barely half a mile away.
—Maya Wei-Haas, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Feb. 2024
With new land being created by frequent lava flows, Iceland is renowned for its sensational geology, landscapes, and natural phenomena.
—David Nikel, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024
The landscapes are just as diverse—from Lanzarote’s lunar lava plains to the lush archipelago of Islas Cíes and the stunning rock formations in the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Nature Reserve (Europe’s only desert!).
—Siobhan Reid, Vogue, 27 Mar. 2024
Archeologists excavating Pompeii, a city that was buried under lava in 79 AD, found a house that was under construction when the disaster happened, according to Italy's Ministry of Culture.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2024
Lava continues to flow from the fissure, and a lava front extends to the west and the south, now about 820 feet from Suðurstrandarvegur – the main road on the southern coast of the Reykjanes Peninsula.
—USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lava.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing lava
Articles Related to lava
Dictionary Entries Near lava
Cite this Entry
“Lava.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lava. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
More from Merriam-Webster on lava
Nglish: Translation of lava for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lava
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share