breccia

noun

brec·​cia ˈbre-ch(ē-)ə How to pronounce breccia (audio)
: a rock composed of sharp fragments embedded in a fine-grained matrix (such as sand or clay)

Examples of breccia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The region has some of the nation’s highest-grade uranium ore in subterranean geologic formations known as breccia pipes, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The Arizona Republic, 10 Jan. 2024 The floors are made with several types of marble in inlaid mosaics, including Carrara marble, Siena yellow marble, and Medicean breccia marble, which was also used at the Vatican. Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2023 Thus resulting in radioactive isotopes within mineral crystals such as the sediments and breccia found in the cave. Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 27 June 2022 Called breccia, this type of rock is the only one of its kind ever found from Mars, reports Kiona Smith for Inverse. Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 July 2022 The partial skulls and other, unidentified bone fragments were preserved in breccia, a mishmash of gravel and random debris washed into and through the cave system and then cemented together over time. Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 15 May 2020 Over time, all the debris cemented together into what’s called breccia. Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 10 July 2019 The cave consisted of breccia: rocks, minerals and fossilized teeth that landslides or water events form when crushing sediment into a cave's walls. Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 30 Sep. 2022 But excavating the fossils from the concretelike breccia was not a quick process. Russ Juskalian, Discover Magazine, 20 Jan. 2016

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'breccia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Italian

First Known Use

1758, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of breccia was in 1758

Dictionary Entries Near breccia

Cite this Entry

“Breccia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breccia. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

breccia

noun
brec·​cia ˈbrech-(ē-)ə How to pronounce breccia (audio)
: a rock composed of sharp pieces surrounded by a fine-grained material

More from Merriam-Webster on breccia

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