plutonic

adjective

plu·​ton·​ic plü-ˈtä-nik How to pronounce plutonic (audio)
1
: formed by solidification of magma deep within the earth and crystalline throughout
plutonic rock
2
often capitalized : plutonian

Examples of plutonic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Gravestones can be made from plutonic rocks (after Pluto, the earlier name for Hades), like gabbro and granite; metamorphic rocks, like slate and marble; and sedimentary rocks, like sandstone and limestone. David Bressan, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 Evolution of an upper crustal plutonic-volcanic plumbing system: Insights from high-precision U-Pb zircon geochronology of the intracaldera tuff and intrusions in Silver Creek caldera, Arizona, USA by T. Zhang and others. Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 11 Dec. 2010 Simon O’Neill unleashed a gleaming, live-steel tenor, and Franz-Josef Selig’s plutonic bass made for an imposing Hunding. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 29 July 2019

Word History

Etymology

Latin Pluton-, Pluto

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of plutonic was in 1596

Dictionary Entries Near plutonic

Cite this Entry

“Plutonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plutonic. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!