stalactite

noun

sta·​lac·​tite stə-ˈlak-ˌtīt 

 also  ˈsta-lək-

: a deposit of calcium carbonate (such as calcite) resembling an icicle hanging from the roof or sides of a cave

stalactitic

ˌsta-(ˌ)lak-ˈti-tik 

stə-ˌlak-

adjective

Illustration of stalactite

• stalactite and stalagmite

Examples of stalactite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Zumpango Cave is part of the Garra de Jaguar system and features ground-to-ceiling columns of speleothems, or stalagmites and stalactites, according to experts. —Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2025

That ceiling has 160 ornate stalactites, which look like nothing so much as upside-down meringues. —Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

The park has an extensive limestone caving system known as Lehman Caves, where stalactites and stalagmites twist and shimmer. —Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 14 Apr. 2025

These limits help protect the many ancient and fragile formations, including a 21-foot soda straw stalactite and the 58-foot Kubla Khan column. —Pat Tompkins, AFAR Media, 4 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin stalactites, from Greek stalaktos dripping, from stalassein to let drip

First Known Use

1677, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stalactite

• acolyte
• aconite
• allanite
• alunite
• amberlite
• ammonite
• amorite
• amphitrite
• analyte
• anchorite
• andesite
• anhydrite

Kids Definition

stalactite

noun

sta·​lac·​tite stə-ˈlak-ˌtīt 

: a deposit of calcium carbonate resembling an icicle hanging from the roof or sides of a cavern

Etymology

from scientific Latin stalactites "stalactite," from Greek stalaktos (adjective) "dripping"