: molten rock that issues from a volcano or from a fissure in the surface of a planet (such as earth) or moon
also
: such rock that has cooled and hardened
Examples of lava in a Sentence
a flow of molten lava
Recent Examples on the Web
At the time, landscape-spanning lava flows regularly gurgled and hissed across the area, releasing enough carbon dioxide to warm the Earth’s atmosphere.
—
Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2023
Kilauea erupted for several weeks in June, displaying fountains of red lava without threatening any communities or structures.
—Robert Higgs, cleveland, 11 Sep. 2023
Darryl Oliveira, former fire chief and civil defense director for the Big Island, is respected across the state for his management expertise in disasters including hurricanes and lava flows.
—Rebecca Boone, Beatrice Dupuy, USA TODAY, 27 Aug. 2023
The 850-square-foot lofty bures (wood-and-straw huts) come with outdoor lava rock showers, air conditioning, spacious sun decks, hot tubs, and king-size sun beds.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 22 Aug. 2023
Taylor had always feared some kind of a slip, that moment when gravity and geometry align and the hero lands not on a stone but in the lava.
—Nate Atkins, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Aug. 2023
The eruptions have helped create islands through ash and fresh lava flows, but have also destroyed islands.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 July 2023
Video showed lava spewing from fissures at the crater’s base, but the activity was confined to the crater.
—Melissa Alonso, CNN, 11 Sep. 2023
In September 2021, the Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted on the neighboring island of La Palma, spewing ash and lava for nearly three months, displacing thousands, and causing over €840 million ($899 million) in damage.
—Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Sep. 2023
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Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2023
Kilauea erupted for several weeks in June, displaying fountains of red lava without threatening any communities or structures.
—Robert Higgs, cleveland, 11 Sep. 2023
Darryl Oliveira, former fire chief and civil defense director for the Big Island, is respected across the state for his management expertise in disasters including hurricanes and lava flows.
—Rebecca Boone, Beatrice Dupuy, USA TODAY, 27 Aug. 2023
The 850-square-foot lofty bures (wood-and-straw huts) come with outdoor lava rock showers, air conditioning, spacious sun decks, hot tubs, and king-size sun beds.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 22 Aug. 2023
Taylor had always feared some kind of a slip, that moment when gravity and geometry align and the hero lands not on a stone but in the lava.
—Nate Atkins, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Aug. 2023
The eruptions have helped create islands through ash and fresh lava flows, but have also destroyed islands.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 July 2023
Video showed lava spewing from fissures at the crater’s base, but the activity was confined to the crater.
—Melissa Alonso, CNN, 11 Sep. 2023
In September 2021, the Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted on the neighboring island of La Palma, spewing ash and lava for nearly three months, displacing thousands, and causing over €840 million ($899 million) in damage.
—Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lava.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Lava.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lava. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on lava
Nglish: Translation of lava for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lava
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