Definition of stone
1 : a concretion of earthy or mineral matter:a (1) : such a concretion of indeterminate size or shape (2) : rockb : a piece of rock for a specified function: such as (1) : a building block (2) : a paving block (3) : a precious stone : gem (4) : gravestone (5) : grindstone (6) : whetstone (7) : a surface upon which a drawing, text, or design to be lithographed is drawn or transferred
2 : something resembling a small stone: such asa : calculus 3ab : the hard central portion of a drupaceous fruit (such as a peach)c : a hard stony seed (as of a date)
3 plural usually stone : any of various units of weight; especially : an official British unit equal to 14 pounds (6.3 kilograms)
4a : curling stoneb : a round playing piece used in various games (such as backgammon or go)
5 : a stand or table with a smooth flat top on which to impose or set type
in stone
: in or into a permanent and unchangeable state plans are not set in stone
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Examples of stone in a Sentence
The pedestal is made of stone.
His birthdate and date of death were carved on the stone.
Recent Examples of stone from the Web
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So my parents stopped taking me to conventional doctors altogether and started relying primarily on homeopathy and Ayurveda, a form of Indian herbal medicine, in addition to stones that apparently reflected the light of the planets.
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This is actually the third place these stones have called home in our landscape.
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The team took extensive steps to rule out the migration of artifacts between layers, for example by refitting together broken stone tools found in the same layer.
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Though summer is the season of joy and stone fruits and hooking up with an English dude visiting the States on sabbatical, the best season does take its toll on our city’s bike commuters.
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The congressman, who is stone-faced for a few seconds, then breaks down into tears.
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The rhetoric While the state didn't make good on its pension pledge to CPS, the law set in stone the percentage of the education grant pie the district would receive.
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Statements, sticks and stones As in much else involving free speech, America gets the balance right.
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For Xi, the 16 central and eastern European nations and their more than 110 million consumers are a stepping stone into the European Union.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stone.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of stone
Middle English, from Old English stān; akin to Old High German stein stone, Old Church Slavonic stěna wall, and perhaps to Sanskrit styāyate it hardens — more at steato-
stone
Definition of stone
stoned
;stoning
transitive verb
1 : to hurl stones at; especially : to kill by pelting with stones
2 archaic : to make hard or insensitive to feeling
3 : to face, pave, or fortify with stones
4 : to remove the stones or seeds of (a fruit)
5a : to rub, scour, or polish with a stoneb : to sharpen with a whetstone
stoner
nounExamples of stone in a Sentence
He was stoned to death for his crimes.
Stone the peaches before serving.
First Known Use of stone
13th century
stone
Definition of stone
Examples of stone in a Sentence
The soup was stone cold.
First Known Use of stone
13th century
Examples of stone in a Sentence
the stone stupidity of the senator's statements embarrassed even her staffers
Recent Examples of stone from the Web
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Stone tools, animal bones and evidence of fire were also found within the same layer at the site.
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Like an aging diva who knows how to present her best side, Café Roval requires diners to walk down a narrow, stone side path to enter through a lush garden with a waterfall and rock-rimmed pond.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stone.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of stone
14th century
Stone
playDefinition of Stone
Harlan Fiske 1872–1946 American jurist; chief justice U.S. Supreme Court (1941–46)
Stone
Definition of Stone
Irving 1903–1989 originally surname Tennenbaum American writer
Stone
Definition of Stone
Lucy 1818–1893 American suffragist
STONE Defined for English Language Learners
stone
playDefinition of stone for English Language Learners
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: a hard substance that comes from the ground and is used for building, carving, etc.
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: a small piece of rock
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: a piece of rock used for a particular purpose
stone
Definition of stone for English Language Learners
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: to throw stones at (someone or something)
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: to kill (someone) by throwing stones
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: to remove the hard, large seed of (a fruit)
stone
Definition of stone for English Language Learners
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: totally or completely
STONE Defined for Kids
Definition of stone for Students
1 : earth or mineral matter hardened in a mass : rock
2 : a piece of rock coarser than gravel Don't throw stones.
3 : gem 1
4 : a stony mass that sometimes forms in certain organs of the body a kidney stone
5 : the seed of a fruit (as a peach) in its hard case
6 plural usually stone : an English measure of weight equaling 14 pounds (about 6.3 kilograms)
Definition of stone for Students
stoned
;stoning
1 : to throw stones at
2 : to remove the stony seeds of stone cherries
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about stone
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See words that rhyme with stone Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for stone Spanish Central: Translation of stone Nglish: Translation of stone for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of stone for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stone
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