magma

noun

mag·​ma ˈmag-mə 

1

archaic : dregs, sediment

2

: a thin pasty suspension (as of a precipitate in water)

3

: molten rock material within the earth from which igneous rock results by cooling

magmatic

mag-ˈma-tik 

adjective

Examples of magma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Io, the innermost giant moon of Jupiter, may not have a shallow sea of magma beneath its surface, as was previously thought. —Jamie Carter, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024

As the helicopter dipped to the right, the erupting volcano came into full view with magma rising and sparking red and orange, a stark contrast to the black earth. —Jaclyn Greenberg, WIRED, 5 Dec. 2024

Tectonic Forces and a Giant Plume of Magma As these tectonic plates diverge, fissures in Earth's crust crack open, allowing magma to well up and spew lava onto the surface. —Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 30 Nov. 2024

The first signs of an eruption were recorded just 45 minutes before a massive ground fissure was opened by magma forcing its way through the earth’s crust, Iceland’s meteorological office said. —Reuters, NBC News, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin magmat-, magma, from Greek, thick unguent, from massein to knead — more at mingle

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

magma

noun

mag·​ma ˈmag-mə 

: molten rock material within the earth

magmatic

mag-ˈmat-ik 

adjective

Medical Definition

magma

noun

mag·​ma ˈmag-mə 

1

: a crude mixture of mineral or organic matter in the state of a thin paste

2

: a suspension of a large amount of precipitated material (as in milk of magnesia) in a small volume of a watery vehicle