MEANING
A usually dark, fine-grained volcanic rock formed as lava cools.
Use it for
Volcanic coasts, dark outcrops, and hardened lava landscapes.Contrast dark fine-grained rock with lighter terrain.
Words that belong together
- basalt cliff
- basalt columns
- basalt flow
On the page
Black basalt lined the shore beneath the cliffs.
The trail crossed an old basalt flow.
Rainwater shone in the joints between the basalt columns.
Nearby words
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- basalt
Usage notes
Primary category: environment. Can form columns or broad lava flows; not all basalt is columnar. Mass noun for material; basalts for geological types.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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