Illustration of stalactite
- stalactite and stalagmite
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
Examples of stalactite in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Despite getting dripped on by dozens of stalactites, all my precious cargo stayed bone dry.
—Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stalactite 
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
Despite getting dripped on by dozens of stalactites, all my precious cargo stayed bone dry.
—Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stalactite
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stalactite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Stalactite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stalactite. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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"
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