lava

noun

la·​va ˈlä-və  ˈla- 

: 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

lavalike

ˈlä-və-ˌlīk 

ˈla-

adjective

Examples of lava in a Sentence

a flow of molten lava

Recent Examples on the Web

However, Hawaii Forest & Trail has permission to take small groups to the summit on a five-hour Hidden Craters Hike that includes repelling into and scrambling through a large lava tube. —Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

Seismic images of mid-ocean ridges typically show rough and jagged terrain, formed when lava oozes up into the cold ocean along faults or fissures and hardens suddenly into stone. —Quanta Magazine, 26 May 2026

In the summer and fall (and as conditions allow), visitors can go caving in two of the lava tube caves. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 26 May 2026

But this drone was designed to fly in the open air, and never got a chance to venture into the lava tubes before ultimately meeting its demise in 2024. —Tom Brown, Space.com, 25 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian, ultimately from Latin labes fall; akin to Latin labi to slide — more at sleep

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lava

• lava cake
• lava lamp

Rhymes for lava

• cava
• fava
• flava
• guava
• jahveh
• balaclava
• cassava

Kids Definition

lava

noun

la·​va ˈläv-ə  ˈlav- 

: melted rock coming from a volcano

also : such rock that has cooled and hardened