regolith

noun

reg·​o·​lith ˈre-gə-ˌlith How to pronounce regolith (audio)
: unconsolidated residual or transported material that overlies the solid rock on the earth, moon, or a planet

Examples of regolith in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Melting the regolith is the hardest part, without question. Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 24 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 So these gaps would need to be sealed using smaller stones, regolith or other materials. Michael Franco, New Atlas, 6 Aug. 2024 Here's What to Know In the Moon’s polar regions, where some areas remain in permanent shadow, solar storms can cause the soil, or regolith, to become electrically charged. Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 23 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for regolith 

Word History

Etymology

Greek rhēgos blanket + English -lith; akin to Greek rhezein to dye — more at raga

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of regolith was in 1897

Dictionary Entries Near regolith

Cite this Entry

“Regolith.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/regolith. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

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