diatomaceous

American

[dahy-uh-tuh-mey-shuhs] / ˌdaɪ ə təˈmeɪ ʃəs /

adjective

consisting of or containing diatoms or their fossil remains.

diatomaceous British

/ ˌdaɪətəˈmeɪʃəs /

adjective

of, relating to, consisting of, or containing diatoms or their fossil remains

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of diatomaceous

1840–50; < New Latin Diatomace ( ae ) an order name ( see diatom, -aceae) + -ous

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.

It suggests diatomaceous earth and commercial rust remover, blended to the consistency of peanut butter.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 29, 2022

This four-mile formation, composed of clay and diatomaceous earth, has been a conservation priority of the tribe, the Chesapeake Conservancy, the U.S.

From Washington Post • Aug. 19, 2022

She touted Palos Verdes Peninsula’s South Coast Botanic Garden, a former diatomaceous earth mine and landfill that was remodeled into a garden in 1961, as an example.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 18, 2022

Some people also recommend sprinkling a layer of diatomaceous earth on top of soil to kill them.

From Salon • May 9, 2022

We made up a song about diatomaceous earth while we were driving in to the post office today, just because we thought it sounded funny.

From "Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer" by Kelly Jones

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023