: a dark gray to black dense to fine-grained igneous rock that consists of basic plagioclase, augite, and usually magnetite
Examples of basalt in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Rocks like limestone and basalt naturally absorb carbon dioxide from the air.
—
Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2025
By analyzing basalt fragments retrieved from this region, the scientists discovered that these rocks share a similar composition to low-titanium basalts previously collected by NASA's Apollo missions to the moon's near side.
—Andrew Jones, Space.com, 18 Mar. 2025
No visit to southern Martinique would be complete without seeing the spectacular Diamond Rock, a 574-foot-high basalt island off the shore of the Grande Anse du Diamant, an idyllic sandy beach.
—Martinique Tourism Authority, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Different run options offer a variety of adventure, but the classic is a 17-mile portion through the Rio Grande Gorge, also dubbed the Taos Box because it is walled by black basalt cliffs.
—Graham Averill, Outside Online, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for basalt
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2025
By analyzing basalt fragments retrieved from this region, the scientists discovered that these rocks share a similar composition to low-titanium basalts previously collected by NASA's Apollo missions to the moon's near side.
—Andrew Jones, Space.com, 18 Mar. 2025
No visit to southern Martinique would be complete without seeing the spectacular Diamond Rock, a 574-foot-high basalt island off the shore of the Grande Anse du Diamant, an idyllic sandy beach.
—Martinique Tourism Authority, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Different run options offer a variety of adventure, but the classic is a 17-mile portion through the Rio Grande Gorge, also dubbed the Taos Box because it is walled by black basalt cliffs.
—Graham Averill, Outside Online, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for basalt
Cite this Entry
“Basalt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/basalt. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
: a dark gray to black usually fine-grained igneous rock
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share