flint

noun

1
: a massive hard dark quartz that produces a spark when struck by steel
2
: an implement of flint used in prehistoric cultures
3
a
: a piece of flint
b
: a material used for producing a spark
especially : an alloy (as of iron and cerium) used in lighters
4
: something resembling flint in hardness
flintlike adjective

Examples of flint in a Sentence

the flint in a cigarette lighter
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Amongst findings of human remains and flint tools, researchers also uncovered a life-size statue of a boar crafted from limestone that showed evidence of painting. Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024 A long time ago Dozens of bronze and flint arrowheads recovered from the Tollense Valley are revealing details about the able-bodied warriors who fought in the Bronze Age battle. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 28 Sep. 2024 But the most common warfare artifacts were arrowheads: So far, 54 bronze and 10 flint arrowheads have been unearthed in the central valley, and 22 more have been identified both upstream and downstream. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Sep. 2024 Perky, honeyed piquant aromas of tropicals—grapefruit but also flint. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for flint 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German flins pebble, hard stone

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of flint was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near flint

Cite this Entry

“Flint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flint. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

flint

noun
1
: a hard dark quartz that produces a spark when struck by steel
2
a
: a piece of flint
b
: an alloy (as of iron and cerium) used for producing a spark in lighters
3
: something very hard
a heart of flint
flintily
ˈflint-ᵊl-ē
adverb
flintiness
ˈflint-ē-nəs
noun
flinty
adjective

Geographical Definition

Flint

geographical name

1
river 265 miles (426 kilometers) long in western Georgia flowing south and southwest into Lake Seminole
2
city in southeast central Michigan north-northwest of Detroit population 102,434
3
or Flintshire administrative area of northeastern Wales bordering England and the Irish Sea area 169 square miles (438 square kilometers), population 152,506

Biographical Definition

Flint

biographical name

Austin: father 1812–1886 and son 1836–1915 American physicians

More from Merriam-Webster on flint

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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