mineralogy

noun

min·​er·​al·​o·​gy ˌmi-nə-ˈrä-lə-jē  -ˈra- 

1

: a science dealing with minerals, their crystallography, properties, classification, and the ways of distinguishing them

2

: the mineralogical characteristics of an area, a rock, or a rock formation

mineralogical

ˌmi-nə-rə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

ˌmin-rə-

adjective

or less commonly mineralogic

ˌmi-nə-rə-ˈlä-jik 

ˌmin-rə-

mineralogically

ˌmi-nə-rə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

ˌmin-rə-

adverb

mineralogist

ˌmi-nə-ˈrä-lə-jist  -ˈra- 

noun

Examples of mineralogy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Here, the rover’s chemistry and mineralogy instrument has discovered lots of the iron-rich carbonate mineral siderite. —Elisabeth M. Hausrath, The Conversation, 6 May 2025

Ellen Dupuy, the new community relations manager, became a volunteer after coming into the center to drop off flyers for a gem and mineralogy society. —Penny E Schwartz, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2025

Rosalind Franklin will be equipped with a variety of mass spectrometers designed to study the mineralogy of Mars and search for evidence of past microbial life. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Feb. 2025

In the early years, mineralogy was a scientific field dominated by men. —David Bressan, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably from New Latin *mineralogia, irregular from Medieval Latin minerale + Latin -logia -logy

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mineralogy

• aetiology
• anthropology
• archaeology
• archeology
• audiology
• cardiology
• climatology
• cohomology
• cosmetology
• criminology
• demonology
• dermatology

Kids Definition

mineralogy

noun

min·​er·​al·​o·​gy ˌmin-ə-ˈräl-ə-jē  -ˈral- 

: a science dealing with the characteristics and classification of minerals

mineralogical

ˌmin-(ə-)rə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

adjective

mineralogically

-ˈläj-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

mineralogist

ˌmin-ə-ˈräl-ə-jəst  -ˈral- 

noun