alabaster

noun

al·​a·​bas·​ter ˈa-lə-ˌba-stər 

1

: a compact fine-textured usually white and translucent gypsum often carved into vases and ornaments

2

: a hard calcite or aragonite that is translucent and sometimes banded

alabaster adjective

or alabastrine

ˌa-lə-ˈba-strən 

Examples of alabaster in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The pictures show a lovely dog, with fur the color of alabaster. —Tj MacIas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Mar. 2025

Prince notes that many of these items are from Italy, and a recent find of hers included alabaster bookends. —Heather Bien, Southern Living, 2 Mar. 2025

Also available in an alabaster and light honey finish, this bookcase would pair well with the coffee table above. —Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Feb. 2025

The tomb, known as No. C4, contains artifacts such as alabaster vase fragments inscribed with the king’s name and sections of a religious book linked to Egyptian kings. —Stories By Real-Time News Team, With Ai Summarization, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English alabastre, from Anglo-French albastre, from Latin alabaster vase of alabaster, from Greek alabastros

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for alabaster

• burgomaster
• choirmaster
• quartermaster
• stationmaster
• aster
• blaster
• caster
• castor
• faster
• gaster
• laster
• master

Kids Definition

alabaster

noun

al·​a·​bas·​ter ˈal-ə-ˌbas-tər 

1

: a smooth usually white and nearly transparent gypsum used for carving (as vases)

2

: a hard calcite that is nearly transparent and sometimes has stripes

Geographical Definition

Alabaster

geographical name

Al·​a·​bas·​ter ˈa-lə-ˌba-stər 

city in central Alabama south of Birmingham population 30,352