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
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Recent Examples of pumice from the Web
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The trail up is as wide as a road and composed of rubble, a mix of dacite and pumice, and becomes steep for a half-mile climb to the rim.
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Its ash and pumice form the soils in Irpinia, 30 miles away.
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Its soils range from basalt pebbles and pumice to black ash.
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Gently scraping a pumice stone over your carpet and rugs is said to work well too.
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The Purify Heating Mask has pumice particles that gently exfoliate while Zeolite clay warms skin to open and deep clean pores of excess oils and dirt.
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Volcanoes throw a great deal of debris into the atmosphere, but much of it (such as heavy particles like pumice and ash) falls out either in the vicinity of the volcano or downwind within a few days.
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Vines are planted in fields of pumice, ash, and volcanic rock.
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Violent eruptions tend to produce only pumice, but this event also created ash, lava domes, and lava flows on the seafloor.
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.
Origin and Etymology of pumice
Middle English pomis, from Anglo-French pomice, from Latin pumic-, pumex — more at foam
NEW! Time Traveler
First Known Use: 15th century
in the meaning defined above
See Words from the same yearPUMICE Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of pumice for English Language Learners
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: 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
PUMICE Defined for Kids
Definition of pumice for Students
: a very light porous volcanic glass that is used in powder form for smoothing and polishing
Medical Dictionary
medical Definition of pumice
: a volcanic glass full of cavities and very light in weight used especially in powder form for smoothing and polishing
Learn More about pumice
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Spanish Central: Translation of pumice Nglish: Translation of pumice for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pumice
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