stalactite

noun

sta·​lac·​tite stə-ˈlak-ˌtīt 

 also  ˈsta-lək-

: a deposit of calcium carbonate (such as calcite) resembling an icicle hanging from the roof or sides of a cave

stalactitic

ˌsta-(ˌ)lak-ˈti-tik 

stə-ˌlak-

adjective

Illustration of stalactite

• stalactite and stalagmite

Examples of stalactite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Low-roofed, a maze of plumbing, with cladding hanging from the sloped ceiling like stalactites. —Geoffrey Bunting, Rolling Stone, 5 Oct. 2024

The park is best known for its extensive limestone cave system with stalactites, stalagmites and flowstones. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 3 Oct. 2024

Inside the cave, visitors can find impressive stalactites, stalagmites and other formations. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 3 Oct. 2024

During the ice ages, the caves dried out as the sea level dropped, and the seeping water from the surface decorated the caverns with deposits such as stalagmites and stalactites, collectively known as speleothems. —Martin Broen, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin stalactites, from Greek stalaktos dripping, from stalassein to let drip

First Known Use

1677, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

stalactite

noun

sta·​lac·​tite stə-ˈlak-ˌtīt 

: a deposit of calcium carbonate resembling an icicle hanging from the roof or sides of a cavern

Etymology

from scientific Latin stalactites "stalactite," from Greek stalaktos (adjective) "dripping"