stone

noun

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\ ˈstōn

Definition of stone

(Entry 1 of 7)

1 : a concretion of earthy or mineral matter:

a(1) : such a concretion of indeterminate size or shape

(2) : rock

b : 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 as

a : calculus sense 3a

b : 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 stone

b : 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

stone

verb

stoned; stoning; stones

Definition of stone (Entry 2 of 7)

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 stone

b : to sharpen with a whetstone

stone

adverb

Definition of stone (Entry 3 of 7)

: entirely, utterly —used as an intensive —often used in combination stone-brokestone-dead

stone

adjective

Definition of stone (Entry 4 of 7)

1 : of, relating to, or made of stone

2 : absolute, utter pure stone craziness— Edwin Shrake

Stone

biographical name (1)

\ ˈstōn

Definition of Stone (Entry 5 of 7)

Harlan Fiske 1872–1946 American jurist; chief justice U.S. Supreme Court (1941–46)

Stone

biographical name (2)

Definition of Stone (Entry 6 of 7)

Irving 1903–1989 originally surname Tennenbaum American writer

Stone

biographical name (3)

Definition of Stone (Entry 7 of 7)

Lucy 1818–1893 American suffragist

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About stone

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Examples of stone in a Sentence

Noun The pedestal is made of stone. His birthdate and date of death were carved on the stone. Verb He was stoned to death for his crimes. Stone the peaches before serving. Adverb The soup was stone cold. Adjective the stone stupidity of the senator's statements embarrassed even her staffers

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun His position on this list is hardly set in stone as a couple more years with some playoff success would vault him up several spots. — Nat Newell, The Indianapolis Star, 9 July 2021 The 82-game season isn’t set in stone going forward, either. — Tim Reynolds, ajc, 7 July 2021 The 82-game season isn't set in stone going forward, either. — Tim Reynolds, Star Tribune, 6 July 2021 With the Milwaukee Bucks’ Game 6 victory over the Atlanta Hawks Saturday, the 2021 NBA Finals matchup is now set in stone. — oregonlive, 4 July 2021 Sarah is the District resident credited with suggesting in 2000 that the capital’s status as a city whose residents pay federal taxes but have no voice in Congress should be set in stone, so to speak. — Washington Post, 3 July 2021 The party playlist is queued, the Aperol spritzes ready to be poured, and the plans set in stone — now all that’s left to do before heading out for the long weekend is pick out an outfit (or a few, depending on your plans). — Eliza Huber, refinery29.com, 1 July 2021 After years of controversy, views on Trump from different sides of the political spectrum might as well be etched in stone. — Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2021 Officials attacked the assumption that Hong Kong’s autonomy was set in stone under the framework negotiated with Britain near the end of colonial rule. — New York Times, 28 June 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb And the symmetry was beautifully designed: the former handmaids (and maybe Marthas) arranged in a perfect circle around him, just as they’d been trained to do when told to stone and kill one of their own kind. — Hillary Kelly, Vulture, 16 June 2021 The Medusa of Greek mythology turned opponents to stone with a glance. — David Hambling, Forbes, 4 June 2021 Maleficent rises to protect her peaceful forest kingdom from invaders, but a terrible betrayal turns her pure heart to stone and twists her into a creature bent on revenge. — Ed Stockly, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2021 Maleficent rises to protect her peaceful forest kingdom from invaders, but a terrible betrayal turns her pure heart to stone and twists her into a creature bent on revenge. — Ed Stockly, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2021 Maleficent rises to protect her peaceful forest kingdom from invaders, but a terrible betrayal turns her pure heart to stone and twists her into a creature bent on revenge. — Ed Stockly, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2021 Maleficent rises to protect her peaceful forest kingdom from invaders, but a terrible betrayal turns her pure heart to stone and twists her into a creature bent on revenge. — Ed Stockly, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2021 Maleficent rises to protect her peaceful forest kingdom from invaders, but a terrible betrayal turns her pure heart to stone and twists her into a creature bent on revenge. — Ed Stockly, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2021 The smart mop has a liquid capacity of 0.25-gallons and the ability to mop and sweep different types of flooring, from hardwood and tile to stone. — Melissa Lee, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Hints of jasmine float over notes of apple, green melon, and lime, with a lovely wet-stone quality underneath. — Sara L. Schneider, Robb Report, 5 July 2021 Like the name indicates, a multi-stone ring has multiple stones that compete for attention, which can be a good thing. — Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 8 June 2021 White blossom aromas are touched by a salty sea breeze mixed with grapefruit and wet-stone minerality. — Sara L. Schneider, Robb Report, 17 May 2021 Hints of honeysuckle float above lemon, fresh herbs and wet-stone minerality on the nose, with beautiful ripe stone fruit, grapefruit and guava following on the palate. — Sara L. Schneider, Robb Report, 26 Apr. 2021 Instead, a curved, gently sloped, stone path landscaped with shrubs, leads from the driveway to the front door. — Sally A. Downey, Philly.com, 5 Feb. 2018 Stone tools, animal bones and evidence of fire were also found within the same layer at the site. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, 7 June 2017

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.