: a rock that is formed chiefly by accumulation of organic remains (such as shells or coral), consists mainly of calcium carbonate, is extensively used in building, and yields lime when burned

Examples of limestone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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As the sun set over Evanston on Friday, a golden glow emanated from the limestone exterior of Ryan Field, which was mobbed for the first time by the Wildcat faithful. — Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026 Constantin Brâncuși’s marble-and-limestone sculpture L’oiseau (1923/1947), for example, commands the space, while Wolfgang Tillmans’s 2022 photograph tree filling window imitates an open window in a closed space. — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Much of the opposition has been geared around Customs and Border Protection’s plans for inside the Big Bend National Park, which is prized for its beautiful landscapes, limestone cliffs and crystal clear night sky views. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 The boutique features blue millwork, limestone floors, Murano sconces, custom white oak vitrines and chandeliers. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for limestone

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of limestone was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Limestone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/limestone. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

: a rock that is formed chiefly from animal remains (as shells or coral), consists mainly of calcium carbonate, is used in building, and gives lime when burned

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