out·crop
ˈau̇t-ˌkräp 
1
: a coming out of bedrock or of an unconsolidated deposit to the surface of the ground
2
: the part of a rock formation that appears at the surface of the ground
out·crop
ˈau̇t-ˌkräp
ˌau̇t-ˈkräp
outcropped; outcropping; outcrops
1
: to project from the surrounding soil
ledges outcropping from the eroded slope
2
: to come to the surface : appear
Examples of outcrop in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2025
Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Loire River, the medieval town that gave the wine its name overlooks vineyards as far as the eye can see.
—Mary Winston Nicklin, AFAR Media, 7 Apr. 2025
Sacramento Bee, 2 July 2024
The granite outcropping that so enchanted Brown and Weisgard is called Pole Island.
—Anna Holmes, The New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for outcrop
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Noun
Around them, the country seems no less fantastical—jagged outcrops of pale rock, rising from low brown hillocks.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2025
Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Loire River, the medieval town that gave the wine its name overlooks vineyards as far as the eye can see.
—Mary Winston Nicklin, AFAR Media, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
The permit area contains two outcropping porphyry targets (Ricardo Herrera and Sortilegio) and one zone with signatures of both porphyry-epithermal and skarn mineralization (Vista Alegre).
—Sacramento Bee, 2 July 2024
The granite outcropping that so enchanted Brown and Weisgard is called Pole Island.
—Anna Holmes, The New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for outcrop
Cite this Entry
“Outcrop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outcrop. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
outcrop
1 of 2 noun
out·crop
ˈau̇t-ˌkräp
1
: a coming out of bedrock to the surface of the ground
2
: the part of a rock formation that appears at the surface of the ground
outcrop
2 of 2 verb
out·crop
ˈau̇t-ˌkräp
(ˈ)au̇t-ˈkräp
outcropped; outcropping
: to come to the surface : appear
granite outcropping through softer rocks
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