strip mine

noun

: a mine that is worked from the earth's surface by the stripping of overburden

especially : a coal mine situated along the outcrop of a flat dipping bed

strip-mine

ˈstrip-ˌmīn 

verb

strip miner noun

Examples of strip mine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Not far from Longmont’s municipal airport, Pella Crossing, a mile south of Hygiene, on the east side of North 75th Street, delivers a similar scene – industrial strip mines transformed into a peaceful haven. —Jamie Siebrase, Denver Post, 14 Nov. 2025

This part of the country used to have a reputation for its lignite strip mines and heavy pollution. —Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025

Some counties have found success clearing land for large developments on former strip mine sites. —Kristina P. Brant, The Conversation, 26 Feb. 2025

For instance, Exxon invested billions in the Old Colony Shale Project, which would have involved a miles-long strip mine in Colorado, for the production of a mere 50 thousand barrels of oil a day. —Michael Lynch, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for strip mine

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• byline
• canine

Kids Definition

strip mine

noun

: a mine that is worked from the earth's surface by the stripping away of covering material

strip-mine verb