soapstone

noun

soap·​stone ˈsōp-ˌstōn How to pronounce soapstone (audio)
: a soft stone having a soapy feel and composed essentially of talc, chlorite, and often some magnetite

Examples of soapstone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Eight of the birds — which hold great spiritual value for the people of Zimbabwe — were immortalised in green-gray soapstone in the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe. Rosa Rahimi, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 Each night, hotel guests will be able to retreat to luxurious rooms outfitted with balconies, fireplaces, and soapstone bath tubs; amenities like a 25-meter heated pool, sauna, massage room, gym, and events space are also planned. Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Nov. 2023 From basalt to travertine to soapstone, these colorful stones are a bolder design choice and a beautiful way to bring the outdoors inside. Tatjana Freund, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Aug. 2023 A little soapstone slab resting on antique brackets provides the only counterspace in the tiny room. Rhonda Reinhart, Country Living, 1 May 2023 In this home by designer Emily Janak, rustic materials like soapstone countertops and a log wall pair with modern touches like slab-front cabinets and sleek black stools. Alyssa Longobucco, House Beautiful, 19 Apr. 2023 Liev Schreiber Shares Sweet Moment Getting Ready for the Emmys The spare space, lined with distressed oak floors, and featuring steel staircases and a black soapstone kitchen, gets a dose of warmth from a huge, semicircular sofa in bright blue velvet in the living room. Mackenzie Schmidt, Peoplemag, 2 Aug. 2023 Something advertised as soapstone might actually be made of resin — real stone is cool to the touch, plastic is warm, and stone is heavier. James Brooks, Anchorage Daily News, 19 June 2023 From butcher block to granite, soapstone to quartzite, your kitchen countertop material needs to check off more than just aesthetic boxes. Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, 25 May 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1681, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of soapstone was circa 1681

Dictionary Entries Near soapstone

Cite this Entry

“Soapstone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soapstone. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

soapstone

noun
soap·​stone ˈsōp-ˌstōn How to pronounce soapstone (audio)
: a soft stone having a soapy feel and composed essentially of talc, chlorite, and often some magnetite

More from Merriam-Webster on soapstone

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!