pumice

pum·ice | \ ˈpə-məs

How to pronounce pumice (audio)

\

Definition of pumice

: a volcanic glass full of cavities and very low in density that is used especially in powder form for smoothing and polishing

Other Words from pumice Example Sentences Learn More about pumice

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of pumice in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The pumice stone would then be lit with a match, placed under the wood to be burned and allowed to cool before returning it to the pot. — oregonlive, "French urn, Pittsburgh lamp could be worth thousands: Today’s Collectibles," 1 Feb. 2020 The findings from the cave also included a number of pumice stones that the Neanderthals likely used as an abrading tool to sharpen other tools. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, "Neanderthals combed beaches and went diving for shells to use as tools, study says," 15 Jan. 2020 The Romans shipped 15,000 to 20,000 kilograms of pumice from Italy to build the Caesarea harbors. — Ben Guarino, Anchorage Daily News, "This village fought sea-level rise 7,000 years ago. The sea won.," 19 Dec. 2019 An analysis of clam shells and volcanic rocks from an Italian cave shows that Neanderthals collected shells and pumice from beaches. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, "Neanderthals combed beaches and went diving for shells to use as tools, study says," 15 Jan. 2020 Visitors to Santorini can taste the story of the volcanoes: basalt, pumice, fir, smoke. — Timothy O'grady, Condé Nast Traveler, "For the Real Santorini, Visit During Off-Season," 15 Nov. 2019 The pumice, which is filled with holes and cavities, floats like an iceberg does, with about 90% underwater and 10% underwater, the pair explained. — Kara Fox And Jessie Yeung, CNN, "A giant pumice stone floating in the Pacific could help heal Australia's Great Barrier Reef," 25 Aug. 2019 Because Santorini's mineral springs were buried by the last volcanic blast, the only moisture here is the morning dew, held in the soil by pumice. — Timothy O'grady, Condé Nast Traveler, "For the Real Santorini, Visit During Off-Season," 15 Nov. 2019 The desert was once a deep glacial valley that was buried by pumice during the eruption of Mount Mazama, a Cascade peak that imploded and left behind Crater Lake. — oregonlive, "Oregon man pays damages after driving off-road at Crater Lake," 30 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pumice.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about pumice

Dictionary Entries near pumice

Statistics for pumice

Last Updated

4 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Pumice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pumice. Accessed 28 Feb. 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for pumice

pumice

noun

English Language Learners Definition of pumice

: a gray stone that comes from volcanoes, is full of small holes, has a very light weight, and is used especially for smoothing and polishing things or for softening the skin

See the full definition for pumice in the English Language Learners Dictionary

pumice

pum·ice | \ ˈpə-məs

\

Kids Definition of pumice

: a very light porous volcanic glass that is used in powder form for smoothing and polishing

pumice

pum·ice | \ ˈpəm-əs

\

Medical Definition of pumice

: a volcanic glass full of cavities and very light in weight used especially in powder form for smoothing and polishing

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

coax

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

More Confusing Words—Quiz

The magician ______ moved the selected card to the top of the deck.

discretely discreetly

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.