What does pyroxene mean?
Pyroxene is a term used in geology for a group of silicate minerals rather than for one single mineral species. Members of the group include augite, diopside, jadeite, and orthopyroxene, and they commonly contain combinations of silicon, oxygen, iron, magnesium, calcium, sodium, or aluminum. Pyroxenes are especially important constituents of many igneous rocks, including basalt and gabbro, and they can also develop in metamorphic rocks. Their presence and composition help geologists identify rocks, infer the conditions under which they formed, and investigate the internal structure and history of Earth, the Moon, and other planetary bodies. Although specialists distinguish among numerous pyroxene species, ordinary geological writing often uses “pyroxene” collectively, especially when discussing a rock’s mineral composition. The word is consequently most familiar to students and professionals in the earth sciences, but it also appears in discussions of planetary geology and the composition of volcanic materials.
nounPyroxene denotes a group of silicate minerals, including augite, diopside, and orthopyroxene, that commonly occur in igneous and metamorphic rocks. Individual members of the group vary in composition but generally contain silicon, oxygen, and one or more metals such as iron, magnesium, or calcium.
- A group of silicate minerals, including several distinct mineral species, that typically contain iron, magnesium, calcium, or combinations of these metals and occur widely in igneous and metamorphic rocks.
"Abundant pyroxene crystals give the basalt its dark, coarse-grained texture."
"Pyroxene is a major constituent of many basalts and other mafic igneous rocks."
"The thin section revealed grains of pyroxene alongside olivine and plagioclase."
The standard plural refers to several minerals belonging to the pyroxene group or to multiple occurrences of such minerals.
"Both pyroxenes and olivines are abundant in the basalt."
The name means “fire stranger,” combining Greek words for “fire” and “guest” or “stranger” and reflecting pyroxene’s association with volcanic rocks.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pyroxene come from?
The name combines the Greek pyr, meaning “fire,” with xenos, meaning “guest” or “stranger.” It reflects the minerals’ historical association with fire and volcanic rocks. In modern mineralogy, the term names a broad group of related silicate minerals rather than a single mineral species.
How pyroxene is actually used
This is a specialized geological term used in mineralogy, petrology, planetary science, and related earth sciences. “Pyroxene” commonly refers collectively to a group of minerals, while “pyroxenes” can refer to several members or occurrences of the group.