Granite | Definition of granite by Merriam-Webster

Full Definition of GRANITE

1

: a very hard natural igneous rock formation of visibly crystalline texture formed essentially of quartz and orthoclase or microcline and used especially for building and for monuments

2

: unyielding firmness or endurance <the cold granite of Puritan formalism — V. L. Parrington>

— gran·ite·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

— gra·nit·ic \gra-ˈni-tik\ adjective

— gran·it·oid \ˈgra-nə-ˌtȯid\ adjective

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Origin of GRANITE

Italian granito, from past participle of granire to granulate, from grano grain, from Latin granum

First Known Use: 1646

Related to GRANITE

Synonyms: decidedness, decision, decisiveness, determinedness, firmness, determination, purposefulness, resoluteness, resolution, resolve, stick-to-itiveness

Antonyms: hesitation, indecision, indecisiveness, irresoluteness, irresolution, vacillation

Other Geology Terms

anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale

Rhymes with GRANITE

gannet, planet

Definition of GRANITE for Kids

: a very hard rock that is used for buildings and for monuments

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "granite"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "granite"

Nglish: Translation of "granite" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "granite" for Arabic speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about "granite"

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