Portland cement

American  

Or portland cement

noun

1. a type of hydraulic cement usually made by burning a mixture of limestone and clay in a kiln.

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Portland cement British  

noun

1. a cement that hardens under water and is made by heating a slurry of clay and crushed chalk or limestone to clinker in a kiln

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Etymology

Origin of Portland cement

First recorded in 1815–25; named after the Isle of Portland, Dorsetshire, England

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Portland cement

The firm prints homes on site using Portland cement, which is resilient, moldable and familiar to permitting officials.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 9, 2025

This dewatered solution was blended with ordinary Portland cement as the solidifier.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 1, 2023

It’s an accurate description because regular concrete has stones, sand, Portland cement and water to activate the cement.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 19, 2023

How it works: Roller mills or ball mills grind the clinker and gypsum into a fine gray powder known as Portland cement.

From Scientific American ● Feb. 9, 2023

Once complete, this grillage of steel would be filled and covered with Portland cement to produce a broad, rigid raft that Root called a floating foundation.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

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