zircon
noun
-kən \
Definition of zircon
: a tetragonal mineral consisting of a silicate of zirconium and occurring usually in brown or grayish square prisms of adamantine luster or sometimes in transparent forms which are used as gems
Examples of zircon in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Scientists arrived at its true age after isolating certain minerals known as zircons. — Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, "The Ancient Martian Rock that Fell to Earth," 20 Nov. 2013 The new finding confirms that the zircon comes from the island itself. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Researchers Think They’ve Found a Mini Continent in the Indian Ocean," 2 Feb. 2017 The researchers recovered zircons as old as 3 billion years, Ashwal says in a press release. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Researchers Think They’ve Found a Mini Continent in the Indian Ocean," 2 Feb. 2017 In 2013, a team of European and South African geologists published research showing that the island's rock actually contained zircon crystals that were billions of years older than the island itself. — Ken Jennings, Condé Nast Traveler, "Scientists Have Discovered a 'Lost Continent' Under Mauritius," 6 Feb. 2017 The researchers recovered zircons as old as 3 billion years, Ashwal says in a press release. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Researchers Think They’ve Found a Mini Continent in the Indian Ocean," 2 Feb. 2017 The researchers collected samples of the mineral zircon, which can be used to calculate the age of rocks, from an island off the coast of Madagascar called Mauritius. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Scientists Found a 'Lost' Continent in the Indian Ocean," 2 Feb. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'zircon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on zircon
What made you want to look up zircon? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Name that Food Quiz
-
- Name these cookies!
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Share zircon
Resources for zircon