tephra

noun

teph·​ra ˈte-frə How to pronounce tephra (audio)
: solid material ejected into the air during a volcanic eruption
especially : ash entry 2 sense 2b

Examples of tephra in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Gas emissions and rock fragments ejected from the volcano into the air, known as tephra, were the primary hazards from the eruption, the observatory said. Alex Sundby, CBS News, 4 June 2024 Volcanoes are vents where lava, tephra, and steam erupt onto the Earth's surface. Lea Lane, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024 Lava flows, hydrated mineral deposits as well as pyroclastic deposits made of volcanic particulate materials such as ash, cinders, pumice and tephra, occur in several areas within the structure’s perimeter. Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2024 First, explosive volcanic eruptions produce tephra, with is a bit of a catch-all for volcanic debris like ash, pumice, bombs, etc. Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 30 May 2023 See all Example Sentences for tephra 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tephra.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek, ashes; akin to Sanskrit dahati it burns — more at foment

First Known Use

circa 1944, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tephra was circa 1944

Dictionary Entries Near tephra

Cite this Entry

“Tephra.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tephra. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.

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