plural crystals
1
: a small piece of a substance that has many sides and is formed when the substance turns into a solid
ice/salt crystals
a crystal of quartz
the crystal structure of minerals
2
: a clear hard mineral that is either colorless or very light in color and that is used in making jewelry
a necklace made of crystal
Some of the crystals used in the necklace are a pale pink color.
3
a
: a special type of glass that is very clear
The wine glasses are made of the finest crystal.
—often used before another nouna crystal chandelier/vase
b
: objects made of this glass
She inherited her mother's crystal.
their wedding crystal
4
US
: the clear glass or plastic cover on a watch or clock
I broke the crystal on my watch.
Cite this Entry
“Crystal.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/crystal. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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