magma

noun

mag·​ma ˈmag-mə 

1

archaic : dregs, sediment

2

: a thin pasty suspension (as of a precipitate in water)

3

: molten rock material within the earth from which igneous rock results by cooling

magmatic

mag-ˈma-tik 

adjective

Examples of magma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With ash emissions and other smaller bursts of gas and magma, Etna began to show signs of an impending eruption, multiple news outlets reported. —Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025

Added a longer visual warning before taking damage from magma and fire effects. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025

The rising magma and other moving fluids can heat up surrounding areas on the way to the surface, according to Fee. —Maria Aguilar Prieto, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025

Due to the large total amount of magma present, Yellowstone will remain volcanically active. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin magmat-, magma, from Greek, thick unguent, from massein to knead — more at mingle

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

magma

noun

mag·​ma ˈmag-mə 

: molten rock material within the earth

magmatic

mag-ˈmat-ik 

adjective

Medical Definition

magma

noun

mag·​ma ˈmag-mə 

1

: a crude mixture of mineral or organic matter in the state of a thin paste

2

: a suspension of a large amount of precipitated material (as in milk of magnesia) in a small volume of a watery vehicle