graphite

American  

[graf-ahyt] / ˈgræf aɪt /

noun

1. a very common mineral, soft native carbon, occurring in black to dark-gray foliated masses, with metallic luster and greasy feel: used for pencil leads, as a lubricant, and for making crucibles and other refractories; plumbago; black lead.

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graphite British  

/ ˈɡræfaɪt, ɡrəˈfɪtɪk /

noun

1. Also called: plumbago.  a blackish soft allotropic form of carbon in hexagonal crystalline form: used in pencils, crucibles, and electrodes, as a lubricant, as a moderator in nuclear reactors, and, in a carbon fibre form, as a tough lightweight material for sporting equipment

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graphite Scientific  

/ grăf′īt′ /

1. A naturally occurring, steel-gray to black, crystalline form of carbon. The carbon atoms in graphite are strongly bonded together in sheets. Because the bonds between the sheets are weak, other atoms can easily fit between them, causing graphite to be soft and slippery to the touch. Graphite is used in pencils and paints and as a lubricant and electrode. It is also used to control chain reactions in nuclear reactors because of its ability to absorb neutrons.

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Other Word Forms

• graphitic adjective
• nongraphitic adjective

Etymology

Origin of graphite

1790–1800; < German Graphit < Greek gráph ( ein ) to write, draw + German -it -ite ¹

Example Sentences

The group’s goal is to help the U.S. and allied nations secure sources and supply chains for critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, manganese, uranium and copper.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

At the same time, a graphite electrode extracted chloride ions in a process known as electrochemical desalination.

From Science Daily • Feb. 19, 2026

After last week's meeting, the White House said China will issue export licences for rare earths, as well as gallium, germanium, antimony and graphite.

From Barron's • Nov. 5, 2025

Keane illustrated the five-minute film with graphite on paper, depicting the arc of Bryant’s letter— from young Kobe tossing rolled-up tube socks, to NBA glory, to retiring at 37.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 29, 2025

I remove pots of ground graphite from my beauty caisse and embed the flakes in the shafts of hair, so now the strands almost shimmer.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

• soot