stalagmite

noun

sta·​lag·​mite stə-ˈlag-ˌmīt How to pronounce stalagmite (audio)
 also  ˈsta-ləg-
: a deposit of calcium carbonate like an inverted stalactite formed on the floor of a cave by the drip of calcareous water
stalagmitic adjective

Examples of stalagmite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Thousands of dramatic stalactites and stalagmites, as well as deep, turquoise-colored cave pools, set the scene for a step back in time. Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2024 Travelers can easily spend the entire day exploring these captivating caverns, admiring the mystical stalagmites and stalactites, and spotting wildlife like bats and cougars. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 1 Jan. 2024 The Brazilian artist’s ceramic collection includes an inspired piece constructed of delicate spheres suspended in the air and stalagmite totems rising from the earth. Melinda Sheckells, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Dec. 2023 For dessert, guests were invited to knock a lucite hammer against a grand display of chocolate bark stalagmites, an artistic conclusion to a fabulous night at the Met, on which a record $4.4 million was raised. Zachary Schwartz, Vogue, 6 Dec. 2023 The caverns include an underground river, delicate 'soda straw' formations, stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and huge areas of flowstone. Bill Bowden, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2023 Here, millions-year-old stalagmites hang from the ceiling and the signatures of famous visitors graffiti the walls. Katie Lockhart, Robb Report, 31 Aug. 2023 There are millennia worth of stalactites, stalagmites, and, yes, even a few sharks. Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 24 Aug. 2023 Billie Eilish is topping her oversize outfits with baseball caps à la Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit; Machine Gun Kelly is gelling his hair up into five-inch stalagmites; and in June, Justin Bieber was spotted in a pair of baggy wide-leg JNCO jeans. Jasmine Li, New York Times, 24 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stalagmite.' 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

New Latin stalagmites, from Greek stalagma drop or stalagmos dripping, from stalassein to let drip

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stalagmite was in 1681

Dictionary Entries Near stalagmite

Cite this Entry

“Stalagmite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stalagmite. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

stalagmite

noun
sta·​lag·​mite stə-ˈlag-ˌmīt How to pronounce stalagmite (audio)
: a deposit of calcium carbonate like an inverted stalactite formed on the floor of a cave by the drip of water
Etymology

from scientific Latin stalagmites "stalagmite," from Greek stalagma "a drop" or Greek stalagmos "the act or result of dripping"

More from Merriam-Webster on stalagmite

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