1
: a principal mountain mass
2
: a block of the earth's crust bounded by faults or flexures and displaced as a unit without internal change
Examples of massif in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Behind them the massif rose and fell like gigantic shark teeth.
—
Sean Williams, Harper's Magazine, 11 Sep. 2023
By studying images of the Annapurna massif, the team found geographic signs of an old landslide.
—Rahul Rao, Popular Science, 6 July 2023
Many things have changed in 20 years, including this: The stroll into the heart of Fireweed Mountain massif that took five hours in the ‘90s somehow morphed into an 11-hour hike in July 2023.
—Ned Rozell | Alaska Science, Anchorage Daily News, 29 July 2023
Day 7: Camp Italiano to Chileno Distance: About 10 miles This mellow-but-long section runs along the base of the massif, making for some incredible views above.
—Cassidy Randall, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2023
The French Alps with the Savoie region and the Vanoise massif offer plenty of ski destinations, but Courchevel is probably one of the most famous.
—Cécilia Pelloux, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2023
The massif rocks contain lots of olivine, a mineral that reacts with water in a process called serpentinization.
—Bypaul Voosen, science.org, 25 May 2023
Ski options include World Cup courses, terrain for all abilities, town to town and hut to hut skiing, and what is widely considered one of the greatest days in skiing, an epic tour known as the Sellaronda that circumnavigates the Sella massif, all in-bounds with lifts.
—Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2021
The Central campsite and refugio are nestled against a hillside with a view of the massif.
—Cassidy Randall, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2023
See More
Sean Williams, Harper's Magazine, 11 Sep. 2023
By studying images of the Annapurna massif, the team found geographic signs of an old landslide.
—Rahul Rao, Popular Science, 6 July 2023
Many things have changed in 20 years, including this: The stroll into the heart of Fireweed Mountain massif that took five hours in the ‘90s somehow morphed into an 11-hour hike in July 2023.
—Ned Rozell | Alaska Science, Anchorage Daily News, 29 July 2023
Day 7: Camp Italiano to Chileno Distance: About 10 miles This mellow-but-long section runs along the base of the massif, making for some incredible views above.
—Cassidy Randall, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2023
The French Alps with the Savoie region and the Vanoise massif offer plenty of ski destinations, but Courchevel is probably one of the most famous.
—Cécilia Pelloux, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2023
The massif rocks contain lots of olivine, a mineral that reacts with water in a process called serpentinization.
—Bypaul Voosen, science.org, 25 May 2023
Ski options include World Cup courses, terrain for all abilities, town to town and hut to hut skiing, and what is widely considered one of the greatest days in skiing, an epic tour known as the Sellaronda that circumnavigates the Sella massif, all in-bounds with lifts.
—Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2021
The Central campsite and refugio are nestled against a hillside with a view of the massif.
—Cassidy Randall, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'massif.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
French, from massif, adjective, from Middle French, alteration of Old French massiz
First Known Use
1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near massif
Cite this Entry
“Massif.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/massif. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.
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