magma

noun

mag·​ma ˈmag-mə 

1

archaic : dregs, sediment

2

: a thin pasty suspension (as of a precipitate in water)

3

: molten rock material within the earth from which igneous rock results by cooling

magmatic

mag-ˈma-tik 

adjective

Examples of magma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This week’s free dragon giveaway will surely be season two’s apotheosis, an exhilarating pastiche of Jurassic Park and that scene in Congo where the bad gorillas jump into liquid hot magma. —Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 28 July 2024

This opens the door for new sources of these elements, especially since iron-rich magma is easily identifiable. —Devika Rao, theweek, 1 Oct. 2024

Instead, many volcanoes keep their magma in batches (reservoirs) that might mix magma and crystals right before an eruption. —Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 30 Sep. 2024

Volcanic magma can certainly provide sufficient heat to melt the lunar regolith, so glass can be a telltale sign of volcanism. —Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 5 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin magmat-, magma, from Greek, thick unguent, from massein to knead — more at mingle

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

magma

noun

mag·​ma ˈmag-mə 

: molten rock material within the earth

magmatic

mag-ˈmat-ik 

adjective

Medical Definition

magma

noun

mag·​ma ˈmag-mə 

1

: a crude mixture of mineral or organic matter in the state of a thin paste

2

: a suspension of a large amount of precipitated material (as in milk of magnesia) in a small volume of a watery vehicle