volcano
vol-KAY-noh
Volcano (noun) means an opening in the Earth's surface, usually on a mountain, through which molten rock, ash, and gas escape from below. Example: “The volcano had been dormant for over a century before it erupted.”
noun
1
An opening in the Earth's surface, usually on a mountain, through which molten rock, ash, and gas escape from below.
"The volcano had been dormant for over a century before it erupted."
"Lava flowed down the side of the volcano toward the village."
"Clouds of ash rose from the volcano and drifted across the sea."
How to use volcano
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA mountain or opening that erupts with lava, ash, and gas from deep underground.
Common pairings
active volcano
dormant volcano
volcano erupts
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Word forms
- Plural
- volcanoes, volcanos
- Third person singular
- volcanos, volcanoes
- Past tense
- volcanoed
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The _____ had been dormant for over a century before it erupted.
Etymology
From Italian vulcano, named after Vulcano, a volcanic island in the Mediterranean itself named for Vulcan, the Roman god of fire.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for volcano
See all rhymes for volcano →Frequently asked questions
What does “volcano” mean?
The word “volcano” means an opening in the Earth's surface, usually on a mountain, through which molten rock, ash, and gas escape from below. In plain terms, a mountain or opening that erupts with lava, ash, and gas from deep underground.
How do you pronounce “volcano”?
“Volcano” is pronounced vol-KAY-noh (/vɑlˈkeɪ.noʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “volcano” in a sentence?
Here is “volcano” used in a sentence: “The volcano had been dormant for over a century before it erupted.”
What part of speech is “volcano”?
“Volcano” is a noun.
Where does the word “volcano” come from?
The word “volcano” comes from Italian. From Italian vulcano, named after Vulcano, a volcanic island in the Mediterranean itself named for Vulcan, the Roman god of fire.
Is “volcano” a common word?
“Volcano” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between a volcano and a mountain?
A volcano is specifically an opening in the Earth's surface through which molten rock, ash, and gas escape, and it often builds up into a mountain shape over repeated eruptions. An ordinary mountain forms through other geological processes, such as tectonic uplift or erosion, and has no vent connecting it to molten rock below.
What is the difference between an active, dormant, and extinct volcano?
An active volcano has erupted recently or shows signs it could erupt again, while a dormant volcano is currently inactive but still capable of future eruptions. An extinct volcano is not expected to erupt again because it no longer has a magma supply feeding it.
What causes a volcano to erupt?
A volcano erupts when pressure builds up underground and forces molten rock, ash, and gas up through the opening in the Earth's surface. This pressure typically comes from magma rising toward the surface as gases within it expand.
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