pumice

noun

pum·​ice ˈpə-məs 

: a volcanic glass full of cavities and very low in density that is used especially in powder form for smoothing and polishing

pumiceous

pyü-ˈmi-shəs 

ˌpə-

adjective

Examples of pumice in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Mount Vesuvius’ eruption blanketed Pompeii and nearby Herculaneum in ash and pumice (a porous volcanic glass), preserving the infamous tragedy and its victims in astounding detail. —Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 18 June 2026

Pour about 1/4 cup of canola, flaxseed, or vegetable oil over the surface of the griddle, and scrub the oil into the surface using a pumice grill block. —Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 18 June 2026

With ingredients like pumice and 10% AHA (in the form of skin-brightening glycolic and lactic acids), the product effectively banishes dead skin and smooths out uneven sandpaper-like texture on the body. —Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 14 June 2026

Dissolving pumice beads provides a textural grit that immediately sloughs away some of the bigger bumps while AHAs provide invisible decongestion and cell turnover. —Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 5 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pomis, from Anglo-French pomice, from Latin pumic-, pumex — more at foam

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pumice

• lummis
• squamous
• strumous

Kids Definition

pumice

noun

pum·​ice ˈpəm-əs 

: a very light glass that is formed by the rapid cooling of lava from volcanoes, is full of small holes, and is used especially in powder form for smoothing and polishing

Medical Definition

pumice

noun

pum·​ice ˈpəm-əs 

: a volcanic glass full of cavities and very light in weight used especially in powder form for smoothing and polishing