clast

[ klast ]

/ klæst /

noun

a grain of sediment, silt, sand, gravel, etc., especially as a constituent fragment of a clastic rock formation, as distinguished from a chemical or biogenic component of such a formation.

Nearby words

classon, classroom, classroom assistant, classwork, classy, clast, clastic, clastogenic, clastothrix, clat, clathrate

Origin of clast

First recorded in 1950–55; probably back formation from clastic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Science definitions for clast

clast

[ klăst ]

A rock fragment or grain resulting from the breakdown of larger rocks.

Related forms

clastic adjective (klăs′tĭk)