alabaster

noun

al·​a·​bas·​ter ˈa-lə-ˌba-stər 

1

: a compact fine-textured usually white and translucent gypsum often carved into vases and ornaments

2

: a hard calcite or aragonite that is translucent and sometimes banded

alabaster adjective

or alabastrine

ˌa-lə-ˈba-strən 

Examples of alabaster in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Boasting an alabaster and light honey finish, this coffee table will seamlessly blend with the rest of the space and brighten up a room with its light appearance. —Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Feb. 2025

The king stares intently into an eternal distance through composite orbs fashioned from alabaster and glass, rendered in varying degrees of clarity, transparency and opacity. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2025

In the tomb, researchers sifted through tons of broken limestone and found fragments of alabaster jars, which were inscribed with the names of Thutmose II and Hatshepsut. —Erin Clack, People.com, 22 Feb. 2025

The team found several fragments of an alabaster vase with an inscription that included King Thutmose II’s name and referred to him as the deceased king, officials said. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 18 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English alabastre, from Anglo-French albastre, from Latin alabaster vase of alabaster, from Greek alabastros

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for alabaster

• burgomaster
• choirmaster
• quartermaster
• stationmaster
• aster
• blaster
• caster
• castor
• faster
• gaster
• laster
• master

Kids Definition

alabaster

noun

al·​a·​bas·​ter ˈal-ə-ˌbas-tər 

1

: a smooth usually white and nearly transparent gypsum used for carving (as vases)

2

: a hard calcite that is nearly transparent and sometimes has stripes

Geographical Definition

Alabaster

geographical name

Al·​a·​bas·​ter ˈa-lə-ˌba-stər 

city in central Alabama south of Birmingham population 30,352