stalactite

noun

sta·lac·tite | \stə-ˈlak-ˌtīt also ˈsta-lək-

Definition of stalactite

: a deposit of calcium carbonate (such as calcite) resembling an icicle hanging from the roof or sides of a cave

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Examples of stalactite in a Sentence

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There’s also Neptune's Grotto, the otherworldly stalactite cave, and Gennargentu National Park, where intrepid hikers can reach the highest point on the island, passing lakes and gorges on trails lush with the wild pink peonies. — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, "Learning From Sardinia, Where Locals Live La Dolce Vita Longer Than Anyone Else," 16 July 2018 Inside the cave, sealed off from the camp by armed guards, the boys and their coach remain agonizingly far from safety, separated from the entrance by pitch-dark tunnels studded by stalactites and full of sharp turns and changes in elevation. — NBC News, "Soccer team trapped in Thailand: Weather key to rescue operations as mood turns somber," 6 July 2018 By the time firefighters contained the blaze, the roof had collapsed, the grand oak staircase was reduced to kindling, and fat icicles hung like stalactites from the windows. — Inga Saffron, Philly.com, "A tale of two historic Philadelphia buildings: One rises from the ashes. The other falls to the wrecking ball.," 12 July 2018 The dive is difficult, requiring careful navigation of pitch-black, muddy water through stalactites and around sharp corners. — Time, "A Former Thai Navy SEAL Has Died During a Rescue Mission for Soccer Team Trapped in a Cave," 6 July 2018 The water inside the cave flows in strong currents and is cold and full of obstacles such as stalactites as well as sharp turns and changes in elevation. — NBC News, "Thailand soccer team rescue: Conditions now 'most suitable' but monsoon threatens," 7 July 2018 Lauren Fensterstock uses shells, resin, and rubber to make stalactites and stalagmites, and paper to make a dense head-high bed of black Japanese chrysanthemums. — Thomas Hine, Philly.com, "Brandywine River Museum's new exhibit finds scary beauty in the realm of decay," 5 July 2018 Unable to see, divers felt their way forward through mud and stalactites, grasping around to find small entryways leading from one channel to another. — Time, "'Happy as I Could Be in the World.' What It Was Like in Thailand When Rescuers Found the Soccer Team Trapped in a Cave," 2 July 2018 Surrounded by ice-blue stalactite sculptures and tapestries, regulars, travelers, and fellow artists immerse themselves in visual publications, seeking escape, inspiration, or both. — Matthew Sedacca, New York Times, "The ‘Punk Rock’ Comic Book Shop," 7 June 2018

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