quartzite

noun

quartz·​ite ˈkwȯrt-ˌsīt How to pronounce quartzite (audio)
: a compact granular rock composed of quartz and derived from sandstone by metamorphism
quartzitic
kwȯrt-ˈsi-tik How to pronounce quartzite (audio)
adjective

Examples of quartzite 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.
The living room features wide-plank wood floors, tongue-and-groove wood ceilings, a stone fireplace, and a glass wall; the kitchen includes an oversized quartzite island; and a guest suite has a Japanese soaking tub. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 20 Oct. 2026 Fill with at least 5 inches of washed, locally sourced 1/4- to 1/2-inch hard stone like quartzite or pea gravel. — Teresa Woodard, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Oct. 2026 This section of the two-lane road has been carved directly into the red-quartzite cliffs of the Uncompahgre Gorge, and almost none of it has a shoulder; in some places, the highway is only twenty-three feet wide. — Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 In the kitchen, for example, quartzite countertops and soft oak cabinetry by Boffi recede into the background via muted tones allowing the eye to travel past. — Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for quartzite

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of quartzite was in 1823

Rhymes for quartzite

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Browse Nearby Words

quartz-iodine lamp
quartzite
quartzitic
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Cite this Entry

“Quartzite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quartzite. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

quartzite

noun
quartz·​ite ˈkwȯrt-ˌsīt How to pronounce quartzite (audio)
: a compact grainy rock composed of quartz and made from sandstone by the earth's heat and pressure

More from Merriam-Webster on quartzite

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about quartzite

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