clay mineral
noun
: any of a group of hydrous silicates of aluminum and sometimes other metals formed chiefly in weathering processes and occurring especially in clay and shale
Examples of clay mineral in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kaolin is a clay mineral humans have been extracting and refining for several millennia to produce porcelain and other ceramics.
—
Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Now researchers led by McNeil have found further supporting evidence for a northern sea, in the form of more than 15,000 mounds and hills up to 1,640 feet (500 meters) tall that contain clay minerals.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Jan. 2025
In 2023, scientists announced preliminary findings, including traces of carbon and water locked up in clay minerals.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 29 Jan. 2025
Thousands of hills and mounds on Mars have been found to contain layers of clay minerals, which formed when running water interacted with the rocks during a period when Mars' northern reaches were flooded.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Jan. 2025
Feldspar and mica, the main minerals in plutonic rocks like granite and metamorphic rocks like gneiss and schist, react with water and oxygen, decaying to clay minerals.
—David Bressan, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
The asteroid’s sample largely consists of clay minerals, including serpentine, which makes the sample remarkably similar to rocks found at midocean ridges on Earth.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 27 June 2024
In 2008, scientists found evidence of the clay minerals in the fan-like structure seen in the crater.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 26 Jan. 2024
In a preliminary analysis of some of the dust, scientists found nearly 5 percent carbon by mass, and the material has abundant water in the form of hydrated clay minerals.
—Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 6 Dec. 2023
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.
Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Now researchers led by McNeil have found further supporting evidence for a northern sea, in the form of more than 15,000 mounds and hills up to 1,640 feet (500 meters) tall that contain clay minerals.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Jan. 2025
In 2023, scientists announced preliminary findings, including traces of carbon and water locked up in clay minerals.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 29 Jan. 2025
Thousands of hills and mounds on Mars have been found to contain layers of clay minerals, which formed when running water interacted with the rocks during a period when Mars' northern reaches were flooded.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Jan. 2025
Feldspar and mica, the main minerals in plutonic rocks like granite and metamorphic rocks like gneiss and schist, react with water and oxygen, decaying to clay minerals.
—David Bressan, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
The asteroid’s sample largely consists of clay minerals, including serpentine, which makes the sample remarkably similar to rocks found at midocean ridges on Earth.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 27 June 2024
In 2008, scientists found evidence of the clay minerals in the fan-like structure seen in the crater.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 26 Jan. 2024
In a preliminary analysis of some of the dust, scientists found nearly 5 percent carbon by mass, and the material has abundant water in the form of hydrated clay minerals.
—Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 6 Dec. 2023
Dictionary Entries Near clay mineral
Cite this Entry
“Clay mineral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clay%20mineral. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share