limestone

American  

[lahym-stohn] / ˈlaɪmˌstoʊn /

noun

1. a sedimentary rock consisting predominantly of calcium carbonate, varieties of which are formed from the skeletons of marine microorganisms and coral: used as a building stone and in the manufacture of lime.

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limestone British  

/ ˈlaɪmˌstəʊn /

noun

1. a sedimentary rock consisting mainly of calcium carbonate, deposited as the calcareous remains of marine animals or chemically precipitated from the sea: used as a building stone and in the manufacture of cement, lime, etc

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limestone Scientific  

/ līm′stōn′ /

1. A sedimentary rock consisting primarily of calcium carbonate, often in the form of the minerals calcite or aragonite, and sometimes with magnesium carbonate in the form of dolomite. Minor amounts of silica, feldspar, pyrite, and clay may also be present. Limestone can occur in many colors but is usually white, gray, or black. It forms either through the accumulation and compaction of fossil shells or other calcium-carbonate based marine organisms, such as coral, or through the chemical precipitation of calcium carbonate out of sea water.

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limestone Cultural  

1. Sedimentary rock formed primarily of calcium carbonate, often the skeletons of small marine organisms.

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Etymology

Origin of limestone

First recorded in 1515–25; lime ² + stone

Compare meaning

How does limestone compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• limestone vs. travertine

Example Sentences

West of Cairo, Egypt’s capital, a beautifully tended cemetery, roses and all, carries the graves of many of Montgomery’s Eighth Army, their names and regiments carefully inscribed on the pink limestone.

From The Wall Street Journal

The artwork was preserved in limestone caves in southeastern Sulawesi, on the nearby island of Muna.

From Science Daily

“Grand and lavish, this limestone townhouse, on a highly coveted block known for its magnificent residences, is truly unparalleled,” it stated, noting that the property was “designed for luxurious living and the highest caliber entertaining.”

From MarketWatch

Blood stained the white limestone rocks, blending in with the West Bank's distinctive reddish soil.

From Barron's

Nothing would be left but dust, and chunks of limestone, and bits of thatch settling on the floor.

From Literature