volcano

noun

vol·​ca·​no väl-ˈkā-(ˌ)nō How to pronounce volcano (audio)
vȯl-
plural volcanoes or volcanos
1
: a vent in the crust of the earth or another planet or a moon from which usually molten or hot rock and steam issue
also : a hill or mountain composed wholly or in part of the ejected material
2
: something of explosively violent potential

Illustration of volcano

Illustration of volcano
  • 1 cinder cone
  • 2 shield volcano
  • 3 stratovolcano

Examples of volcano in a Sentence

The volcano last erupted 25 years ago. after months of tension the roommates' living situation was a volcano
Recent Examples on the Web Wailea Blue Golf Course Maui, Hawaii The Wailea Blue Golf Course combines incredible views of the ocean and Mount Haleakala, Maui's famous volcano, with a challenging round of golf. Megan Dubois, USA TODAY, 28 Sep. 2024 On terrestrial worlds, volcanoes erupt incandescent rivers of rock. science.org, 19 Sep. 2024 Hawaii's Kilauea volcano, one of the most active in the world, is erupting again, prompting a volcano watch alert in surrounding areas, according to officials. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2024 Some of the events that take place in the series are laughably goofy, like the Rube Goldberg volcano that formed Mordor—and the hilarious title card that announced its name change. Erik Kain, Forbes, 14 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for volcano 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'volcano.' 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

Italian or Spanish; Italian vulcano, from Spanish volcán, ultimately from Latin Volcanus Vulcan

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of volcano was in 1665

Dictionary Entries Near volcano

Cite this Entry

“Volcano.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/volcano. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

volcano

noun
vol·​ca·​no väl-ˈkā-nō How to pronounce volcano (audio)
vȯl-
plural volcanoes or volcanos
: a vent in the earth's crust from which melted or hot rock and steam come out
also : a hill or mountain composed entirely or in part of the material thrown out
Etymology

from Italian or Spanish; Italian vulcano "volcano," from Spanish vulcán, from Latin Volcanus, Vulcanus "Vulcan (Roman god of fire)"

Word Origin
The ancient Greeks and Romans had many gods and goddesses. Each of these deities was in charge of a special kind of work or an aspect of nature. Many of the happenings in nature were explained in myth as the actions of one or more of these gods or goddesses. The Roman god of fire was known as Vulcanus in Latin (Vulcan in English). He was thought to live inside Mount Etna, a volcano on the island of Sicily. Vulcan was a giant who worked as a blacksmith, forging the thunderbolts for Jupiter, king of the gods. The smoke and occasional fiery rocks and lava that came from Mount Etna were thought to be from Vulcan's forge. That is how his name came to be applied to a mountain that sometimes spews forth fire and smoke.

More from Merriam-Webster on volcano

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