granite

noun

gran·​ite ˈgra-nət 

1

: a very hard natural igneous rock formation of visibly crystalline texture formed essentially of quartz and orthoclase or microcline and used especially for building and for monuments

2

: unyielding firmness or endurance

the cold granite of Puritan formalism

—V. L. Parrington

granitelike

ˈgra-nət-ˌlīk 

adjective

granitic

gra-ˈni-tik 

adjective

granitoid

ˈgra-nə-ˌtȯid 

adjective

Synonyms

• decidedness
• decision
• decisiveness
• determination
• determinedness
• firmness
• purposefulness
• resoluteness
• resolution
• resolve
• stick-to-itiveness

Examples of granite in a Sentence

had the granite to see the project out to the end

Recent Examples on the Web

Its hulking form and heavy materials — oceans of granite, limestone and concrete — created an intimidating place that stood for strength, power and winning. —Sam Lubell, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024

Made of stern stuff, granite is highly durable and resistant to heat. —Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2024

Home and garden Alexa Granite – kitchens, bathrooms, granite, quartz, marbles. —Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2024

In Beijing, that’s a 4,300-square-foot home-away-from-home with soaring ceilings, black granite floors, and a spa treatment room with a sauna. —Chadner Navarro, Travel + Leisure, 14 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Italian granito, from past participle of granire to granulate, from grano grain, from Latin granum

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

granite

noun

gran·​ite ˈgran-ət 

1

: a very hard rock that can be polished and is used in buildings and monuments

2

: unyielding firmness (as of character, will, or opinion)