outcrop

1 of 2

noun

out·​crop ˈau̇t-ˌkräp 

1

: a coming out of bedrock or of an unconsolidated deposit to the surface of the ground

2

: the part of a rock formation that appears at the surface of the ground

outcrop

2 of 2

verb

out·​crop ˈau̇t-ˌkräp 

ˌau̇t-ˈkräp

outcropped; outcropping; outcrops

intransitive verb

1

: to project from the surrounding soil

ledges outcropping from the eroded slope

2

: to come to the surface : appear

Examples of outcrop in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The ancient rocky outcrops along the highway are susceptible to crumbling landslides, and even minor seismic activity can send large boulders crashing onto the roadway below. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 14 June 2024

The results show a strong correlation with copper mineralization in outcrop. —Kansas City Star, 22 May 2024

Verb

The environmental data is being collected at San Martin West over an outcropping copper-silver mineralization trend that has been mapped for over 2.3 km of strike including 5.8m at 3.1% copper and 65 g/t silver from surface (previously reported). —Kansas City Star, 4 June 2024

More than 200 Rangers fought vertically – up the sheer cliff face of Pointe du Hoc, a craggy outcropping overlooking the two American landing beaches – in an effort to capture what was thought to be a key location of German artillery. —James Sandy, The Conversation, 21 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

out entry 1 + crop entry 2, after crop out "to protrude from the ground"

Note: See the note at crop entry 2 regarding geological senses of the verb.

Verb

derivative of outcrop entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1805, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

outcrop

1 of 2 noun

out·​crop ˈau̇t-ˌkräp 

1

: a coming out of bedrock to the surface of the ground

2

: the part of a rock formation that appears at the surface of the ground

outcrop

2 of 2 verb

out·​crop ˈau̇t-ˌkräp 

(ˈ)au̇t-ˈkräp

outcropped; outcropping

: to come to the surface : appear

granite outcropping through softer rocks