plural stones
1
: a hard substance that comes from the ground and is used for building, carving, etc.
The pedestal is made of stone.
—often used before another nounstone buildings
a stone wall
2
a
: a small piece of rock
We threw stones [=(US) rocks] at the sign.
b
: a piece of rock used for a particular purpose
His birthdate and date of death were carved on the stone.
3
: a jewel
precious stones [=gemstones]
4
: a small, hard object that sometimes forms in a part of the body (such as the kidney)
She had stones in her bladder.
5
chiefly British
: a large, hard seed found in the center of some fruits (such as plums and peaches) : pit
6
plural stone, British
: a British unit of weight equal to 14 pounds (6.35 kilograms)
He weighs 12 stone.
—abbr. st
stones; stoned; stoning
1
: to throw stones at (someone or something)
Rioters stoned the building.
2
: to kill (someone) by throwing stones
He was stoned to death for his crimes.
3
British
: to remove the hard, large seed of (a fruit) : pit
Stone the peaches before serving.
: totally or completely
(US) They sat there, stone silent.
The soup was stone cold.
He was stone broke. [=he had no money at all]
stone dead
—sometimes used in combinationI thought I had gone stone-deaf.
Cite this Entry
“Stone.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/stone. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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