noun
lode
lohd
Lode (noun) means a vein of metal-bearing ore running through rock. Example: “Prospectors followed the lode deep into the mountainside.”
noun
1
A vein of metal-bearing ore running through rock.
"Prospectors followed the lode deep into the mountainside."
"The mine was built around a rich silver lode."
2
A rich source of something valuable (figurative).
"The archive proved a lode of unpublished letters."
How to use lode
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA seam of valuable ore in rock — or, figuratively, any rich source of something.
Common mistake
Not to be confused with "load" (a weight or burden) or "lord."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a rich lode
strike a lode
mother lode
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Word forms
- Plural
- lodes
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Prospectors followed the _____ deep into the mountainside.
Etymology
A doublet of "load" — both come from Old English lād, "way, course, journey." "Lode" kept its old sense as a mining term for a mineral vein, surviving mainly in words like "lodestone" and "lodestar."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for lode
See all rhymes for lode →Frequently asked questions
What does “lode” mean?
The word “lode” means a vein of metal-bearing ore running through rock. In plain terms, a seam of valuable ore in rock — or, figuratively, any rich source of something.
How do you pronounce “lode”?
“Lode” is pronounced lohd (/loʊd/ in IPA).
How do you use “lode” in a sentence?
Here is “lode” used in a sentence: “Prospectors followed the lode deep into the mountainside.”
What part of speech is “lode”?
“Lode” is a noun.
Where does the word “lode” come from?
The word “lode” comes from Old English. A doublet of "load" — both come from Old English lād, "way, course, journey." "Lode" kept its old sense as a mining term for a mineral vein, surviving mainly in words like "lodestone" and "lodestar.".
How many meanings does “lode” have?
“Lode” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a vein of metal-bearing ore running through rock.
