zeolite

noun ze·o·lite \ ˈzē-ə-ˌlīt \

Definition of zeolite

: any of various hydrous silicates that are analogous in composition to the feldspars, occur as secondary minerals in cavities of lavas, and can act as ion-exchangers; also : any of various natural or synthesized silicates of similar structure used especially in water softening and as adsorbents and catalysts

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zeolitic

play \ˌzē-ə-ˈli-tik\ adjective

Recent Examples of zeolite from the Web

Deputy artistic director of the brand Charlotte Macaux Perelman transformed the interior with structures made of 150,000 zeolite tiles from Morocco, which apparently took 3 weeks to create.

— natalie shirinian, Vogue, "9 of the Most Mesmerizing Installations at Salone del Mobile 2018," 23 Apr. 2018
The third step was made possible by the researchers’ discovery of a new class of catalysts: phosphorus zeolite.

— nathan dicamillo, Newsweek, "New Eco-Friendly, Renewable Tires Stretch the Boundaries of Rubber Production," 6 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'zeolite.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of zeolite

Swedish zeolit, from Greek zein to boil + -o- + Swedish -lit -lite, from French -lite — more at yeast

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1777

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

zeolite

noun ze·o·lite \ ˈzē-ə-ˌlīt \

medical Definition of zeolite

: any of various hydrous silicates that can act as ion exchangers; also : any of various natural or synthesized silicates of similar structure used in water softening and as adsorbents

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