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clay mineral
noun
: any of a group of hydrous silicates of aluminum and sometimes other metals formed chiefly in weathering processes and occurring especially in clay and shale
Examples of clay mineral in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The asteroid’s sample largely consists of clay minerals, including serpentine, which makes the sample remarkably similar to rocks found at midocean ridges on Earth.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 27 June 2024
In 2008, scientists found evidence of the clay minerals in the fan-like structure seen in the crater.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 26 Jan. 2024
In a preliminary analysis of some of the dust, scientists found nearly 5 percent carbon by mass, and the material has abundant water in the form of hydrated clay minerals.
—Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 6 Dec. 2023
The samples from the asteroid contained abundant water in the form of hydrated clay minerals and molecules, which may have led to the formation of lakes, oceans and rivers on Earth and had a high abundance of carbon, which may explain how Earth was seeded with chemicals.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2023
Besides carbon, the asteroid rubble holds water in the form of water-bearing clay minerals, said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
—Time, 11 Oct. 2023
The pieces of space rock contain water molecules locked up in clay minerals and are rich in carbon, according to NASA researchers.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 11 Oct. 2023
That is a lot of lithium concentrated into these clay minerals.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 20 Sep. 2023
Cosmetic chemist Ginger King credits silica and clay mineral kaolin for keeping the smudginess at bay.
—Talia Gutierrez, Allure, 1 Mar. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clay mineral.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1937, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near clay mineral
Cite this Entry
“Clay mineral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clay%20mineral. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
More from Merriam-Webster on clay mineral
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about clay mineral
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