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 three layers of food-grade granite are manufactured to give the pan extra durability, while the mineral coating is made to keep his BBQ from sticking. —Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 28 Oct. 2024

Yosemite National Park, California A Severed Hand Yosemite National Park: Steep granite. —Graham Averill, Outside Online, 18 Oct. 2024

The kind worth avoiding going forward is the speckled granite that was often used by builders to sport every countertop in every bathroom across the home. —Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2024

Part of the junk’s ballast had been provided by granite gravestones, brought by the migrants from China for use at the end of their lives. —Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 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)