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 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 Cleaning up the regolith and turning it into something viable wouldn’t be easy. Sven Bilén, The Conversation, 15 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for regolith 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'regolith.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 1 Oct. 2024.

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