basalt

noun

ba·​salt bə-ˈsȯlt  ˈbā-ˌsȯlt 

: a dark gray to black dense to fine-grained igneous rock that consists of basic plagioclase, augite, and usually magnetite

basaltic

bə-ˈsȯl-tik 

adjective

Examples of basalt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The basalt siphons slowed the destruction, to an extent, but in February 2024, lava outflows disabled a network of pipes from the power station. —Jonah Walters, Longreads, 24 Oct. 2024

So, take something like plagioclase, pyroxene and olivine, the most abundant minerals in basalt and all anhydrous (lacking water in their structure) and plop it for thousands to millions of years in a wet environment like an ocean floor. —Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 27 June 2024

At 200m altitude, on the sand and basalt slopes of the Astroni nature reserve, close to the crater of Agnano, Raffaele Moccia tends his terraced vineyards by hand. —Paul Caputo, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024

Off Planet’s recipes combine several rocks, including anorthosite and basalt. —Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin basaltes, manuscript variant of basanites touchstone, from Greek basanitēs (lithos), from basanos touchstone, from Egyptian bḫnw

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

basalt

noun

ba·​salt bə-ˈsȯlt  ˈbā-ˌsȯlt 

: a dark gray to black usually fine-grained igneous rock

basaltic

bə-ˈsȯl-tik 

adjective