noun
basalt
BAS-olt
Basalt (noun) means a dark, dense volcanic rock formed when lava cools quickly; it makes up much of the ocean floor. Example: “The cliffs were made of black basalt columns formed by ancient lava flows.”
noun
1
A dark, dense volcanic rock formed when lava cools quickly; it makes up much of the ocean floor.
"The cliffs were made of black basalt columns formed by ancient lava flows."
"Basalt is one of the most common rock types on Earth."
How to use basalt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA hard, dark rock that comes from cooled lava.
Common pairings
basalt columns
basalt rock
volcanic basalt
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Word forms
- Plural
- basalts
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The cliffs were made of black _____ columns formed by ancient lava flows.
Etymology
From Latin basaltes, likely a scribal error for basanites, from Greek basanos, "touchstone" — itself borrowed from an Egyptian word for a hard stone.
Frequently asked questions
What does “basalt” mean?
The word “basalt” means a dark, dense volcanic rock formed when lava cools quickly; it makes up much of the ocean floor. In plain terms, a hard, dark rock that comes from cooled lava.
How do you pronounce “basalt”?
“Basalt” is pronounced BAS-olt (/bəˈsɔlt/ in IPA).
How do you use “basalt” in a sentence?
Here is “basalt” used in a sentence: “The cliffs were made of black basalt columns formed by ancient lava flows.”
What part of speech is “basalt”?
“Basalt” is a noun.
Where does the word “basalt” come from?
The word “basalt” comes from Latin. From Latin basaltes, likely a scribal error for basanites, from Greek basanos, "touchstone" — itself borrowed from an Egyptian word for a hard stone.
