stalagmite

What is another word for stalagmite? Here is its meaning, with related words and examples.

Noun — A mineral formation, usually calcium carbonate, that builds up on the floor of a cave and points upward.

We haven't recorded synonyms for stalagmite yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.

How to use stalagmite

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

cave stalagmite tall stalagmite stalagmite formation dripping into a stalagmite

Stalagmite is a standard geological term used in both scientific and everyday descriptions of caves.

Etymology

The word comes from New Latin, itself built from Ancient Greek terms meaning a drop or a dripping. It describes how the formation grows drop by drop from mineral-rich water.

Full origin of stalagmite →

Frequently asked questions

What is a stalagmite?

It is a mineral deposit, usually calcium carbonate, that grows upward from a cave floor as water drips onto it over time.

How is a stalagmite different from a stalactite?

A stalagmite grows up from the floor, while a stalactite hangs down from the ceiling; the two are coordinate terms describing opposite formations.

What are stalagmites made of?

They are typically made of calcium carbonate or similar minerals left behind as dripping water evaporates.

Nearby words

← Back to the full definition of stalagmite