What does granite mean?
Granite is a hard, coarse-grained igneous rock formed when magma cools slowly beneath the Earth's surface. It is composed mainly of quartz, feldspar, and mica, and its strength and resistance to weathering have made it a valuable material for buildings, monuments, countertops, statues, and grave markers. The word can also be used figuratively to describe something exceptionally solid, permanent, or resistant to change, as in a promise described as granite. As an adjective, granite means made of granite and can extend that association to great durability or firmness. Although granite is common in everyday reference to building stone, geologists also distinguish among many varieties according to mineral composition and texture. Its name ultimately comes through French and Italian from the Latin word for grain, reflecting the visibly granular structure of the rock.
A hard, coarse-grained igneous rock formed by the slow cooling of magma and composed chiefly of quartz, feldspar, and mica; it is widely used as building and sculptural material.
"The museum's entrance is faced with granite."
As a material, granite is usually uncountable; in geology, the plural 'granites' can refer to distinct varieties or samples.
Made of granite; figuratively, exceptionally hard, durable, permanent, or unyielding.
"The old bridge has granite supports."
Figurative adjective uses are literary or emphatic and often describe foundations, principles, or character.
Usually used in geological contexts for distinct varieties, formations, or samples of granite.
"Geologists compared the granites from the two mountain ranges."
Granite is a slow-cooking rock: magma cools underground over immense spans of time, creating the enduring stone used in monuments and buildings.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does granite come from?
The English word entered English in the late 16th century from French granite, which came from Italian granito. Italian granito derives from granire, meaning 'to granulate,' from Latin granum, 'grain,' a reference to the rock's granular appearance. The same Latin root underlies English words such as grain, granary, granular, and granule.
Related word forms
How granite is actually used
Granite is normally an uncountable mass noun when referring to the material, as in 'a granite countertop.' The plural 'granites' is used mainly in geology for distinct rock types or samples. Figurative uses are somewhat literary or emphatic, conveying permanence and unyielding character. The pronunciation is essentially the same in British and American English.
Easily confused with granite
Garnet and granite are distinct materials: garnet is a group of silicate minerals, whereas granite is an aggregate rock made chiefly of quartz, feldspar, and mica.