stromatolite

noun

stro·​mat·​o·​lite strō-ˈma-tə-ˌlīt How to pronounce stromatolite (audio)
: a laminated usually mounded sedimentary fossil formed from layers of cyanobacteria, calcium carbonate, and trapped sediment
stromatolitic adjective

Examples of stromatolite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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That first day on the Northwest Passage is far and away the most colorful, the tundra dappled with the autumn colors and shore excursions to view the two-billion-year-old stromatolites at Port Epworth, an area nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status. Joe Yogerst, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025 Proterozoic fossils, dating from 2,500 million to 539 million years ago, include body imprints in fine sediments, stromatolites, trace fossils, chemical and isotopic remains. David Bressan, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024 Furlan Marri For the first time, Furlan Marri has used stromatolite to create a unique timepiece. Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024 Made of sand or minerals, stromatolites can reach five metres tall. Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for stromatolite

Word History

Etymology

Latin stromat-, stroma bed covering + English -o- + -lite

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stromatolite was in 1930

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Cite this Entry

“Stromatolite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stromatolite. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.

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