karst

noun

ˈkärst 

: an irregular limestone region with sinkholes, underground streams, and caverns

karstic

ˈkär-stik 

adjective

Examples of karst in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their 13 acres on Fitzhugh’s winding road has eight karst features in the form of natural springs, which could be contaminated by runoff from the amphitheater, making their well water dangerous. —Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American-Statesman, 30 Jan. 2024

Among the hundreds of caves hidden in the limestone karsts of Indonesia’s Sulawesi island, a work of art faded into a rock wall could be of global importance. —Frances Vinall, Washington Post, 3 July 2024

Railay West Beach, Thailand On the Railay peninsula's west side, Krabi's famous karsts meet a simply stunning jade-green lagoon. —Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2023

The curving beach is punctuated by towering creviced karsts — the limestone formations that have made Railay a world-class destination for rock-climbing — and the emerald lagoon is a paradise for kayaking and paddle boarding. —Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 27 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

German, from Slovene dialect or Croatian dialect kras, kars, type of rock, region composed of such rock

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Geographical Definition

Karst

geographical name

ˈkärst 

variants or Kras

ˈkräs 

or Italian Carso

ˈkär-(ˌ)sō 

limestone plateau northeast of the Istrian Peninsula in western Slovenia extending into eastern Italy