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

Efforts have been made previously to map out the distribution of magma beneath the Yellowstone Caldera—but such have been limited by the approaches used. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025

Instead, the volcanoes are powered by more local sources, and each one has its own pocket of magma beneath it. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024

Once the lava erupts, the pressure is relieved and magma starts to fill into the shallow storage zone below -- repressurizing the system and setting the stage for the next eruption, Willsey said. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2024

Axial behaves like a balloon, inflating as magma accumulates beneath the surface. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025

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