stalagmite
Americannoun
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stalagmites
plural
noun
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A cylindrical or conical mineral deposit, similar to a stalactite but built up from the floor of a cave or cavern. Stalagmites are typically broader than stalactites. The two formations are often, but not always, paired, and they sometimes join at a midpoint to form a pillar.
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Compare stalactite
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of stalagmite
1675–85; < New Latin stalagmites < Greek stálagm ( a ) a drop ( stalag-, stem of stalássein to drip + -ma noun suffix of result) + New Latin -ites -ite 1
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Explanation
A stalagmite is the pointed formation that rises from the floor of a cave. When you go spelunking, or cave exploring, you'll have to avoid the areas where stalagmites have formed. Stalagmites are thin piles of mineral deposits that have fallen from the roof to the floor of a cave. They're sometimes connected to the stalactites that dangle down from the top. Because stalagmites form from drops of water combined with minerals, they get their name from the Greek stalagmos, "a dropping," and share a root with stalactite — the Greek stalassein, "to trickle."
Vocabulary lists containing stalagmite
Physical Geography - Introductory
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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
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Physical Geography - Middle School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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Yet stalagmites offer new insights into climate fluctuations because the German researchers could examine the isotopic composition of oxygen in a southern German stalagmite that had been formed from hard water.
From Salon ● Jan. 22, 2024
Variation in uranium-234 isotope and changes in the growth thickness of stalagmite give indication of the change in the amount of precipitation.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 2, 2023
The glowing stalagmite chandeliers, electric neon art of cacti, waves and sun punctuate the walls of the ocean-blue California Room, the venue’s second stage.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 16, 2023
During the annual pilgrimage, tens of thousands of Hindus cross glaciers and waterlogged trails to reach the cave which contains an ice stalagmite considered to be a physical manifestation of the god Shiva.
From Reuters ● Jul. 8, 2022
“I never know,” Harry called to Hagrid over the noise of the cart, “what’s the difference between a stalagmite and a stalactite?”
From "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling
The stalactites and stalagmites of Sequoia National Park’s Crystal Cave, a sprawling subterranean wonder that’s been closed for four years, will be accessible again this summer.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 7, 2025
It all comes down to the fact that stalagmites are speleothems, or mineral deposits that are formed from groundwater in underground caverns like caves.
From Salon ● Jan. 22, 2024
The decisive factor is the rainwater infiltrating a cave, whose dissolved lime forms the stalagmites.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 17, 2024
One of her areas of expertise is paleoclimatology, and she has traveled the world tracking climatic changes over centuries using corals and cave stalagmites.
From Scientific American ● Feb. 3, 2023
We marched down salt stairs, we crawled along salt floors, we passed stalagmites formed from salt water dripping off the ceiling.
From "Prisoner B-3087" by Alan Gratz
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
