granite

noun

gran·​ite ˈgra-nət 

1

: a very hard natural igneous rock formation of visibly crystalline texture formed essentially of quartz and orthoclase or microcline and used especially for building and for monuments

2

: unyielding firmness or endurance

the cold granite of Puritan formalism

—V. L. Parrington

granitelike

ˈgra-nət-ˌlīk 

adjective

granitic

gra-ˈni-tik 

adjective

granitoid

ˈgra-nə-ˌtȯid 

adjective

Synonyms

• decidedness
• decision
• decisiveness
• determination
• determinedness
• firmness
• purposefulness
• resoluteness
• resolution
• resolve
• stick-to-itiveness

Examples of granite in a Sentence

had the granite to see the project out to the end

Recent Examples on the Web

Eighty columns — massive granite shafts topped by Corinthian capitals — carry rows of arches down the 440-foot length of the nave. —The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025

Workers go about their job at a granite mine on Feb. 26, 2025 in the Zhytomyr region of Ukraine. —Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2025

Its 200 structures were built with granite blocks shaped to fit together so perfectly that no mortar was needed. —Hannah Edgar, ARTnews.com, 24 Feb. 2025

The kitchen has a large flamed granite working island, two Miele dishwashers, an apron-style kitchen sink, twin Sub-Zero refrigerators, four Sub-Zero freezer drawers, a commercial-grade six-burner Wolf stove and griddle, a pot filler faucet and a warming drawer. —Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian granito, from past participle of granire to granulate, from grano grain, from Latin granum

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for granite

• gannet
• planet
• intranet
• pomegranate

Kids Definition

granite

noun

gran·​ite ˈgran-ət 

1

: a very hard rock that can be polished and is used in buildings and monuments

2

: unyielding firmness (as of character, will, or opinion)