shale

noun

: a fissile rock that is formed by the consolidation of clay, mud, or silt, has a finely stratified or laminated structure, and is composed of minerals essentially unaltered since deposition
shaley adjective
or less commonly shaly

Examples of shale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Fracking is the injection of water deep into the ground to free oil trapped in shale formations in states across the center part of the country. Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026 For almost a year, the Saudis and other key members have been engaged in an apparent push to reclaim market share ceded in recent years to rivals such as US shale drillers. Salma El Wardany, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2026 Know More Meanwhile, Saudi Aramco has started production at Jafurah, a giant shale gas field, moving it closer to its goal of becoming one of the world’s top 10 gas producers. Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 27 Feb. 2026 Much like the shale boom was predicated on $100 oil (which never happened), if rental prices were to sink to thirty or fifty cents an hour instead of staying in the $1-2 range, Big Tech could find itself in a similar predicament, Currie warns. Kelly Evans, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shale

Word History

Etymology

probably from obsolete or dialect shale scale, shell, from Middle English, from Old English scealu — more at shell

First Known Use

1747, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shale was in 1747

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shale. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

shale

noun
: a rock with a fine grain formed from clay, mud, or silt
shaley adjective

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