quarry
1an excavation or pit, usually open to the air, from which building stone, slate, or the like, is obtained by cutting, blasting, etc.
an abundant source or supply.
to obtain (stone) from or as if from a quarry.
to make a quarry in.
Origin of quarry
1Other words from quarry
- quar·ri·a·ble, quar·ry·a·ble, adjective
- un·quar·ried, adjective
Words that may be confused with quarry
- quarry , query
Other definitions for quarry (2 of 3)
an animal or bird hunted or pursued.
game, especially game hunted with hounds or hawks.
any object of search, pursuit, or attack.
Origin of quarry
2Other definitions for quarry (3 of 3)
Origin of quarry
3Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use quarry in a sentence
The subjects of his work range from mines, quarries, and shipping around the world to manufacturing and urban renewal in China.
Again the “Cavalry” were in attendance and escorted the party to the quarries and back.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland | Joseph TatlowThe differences of structure between the quarries or arenaria and the Catacombs are no less striking.
The Catacombs of Rome | William Henry WithrowThese quarries are now entirely worked out, so that no stone can be obtained thence for repairs.
Bell's Cathedrals: A Short Account of Romsey Abbey | Thomas PerkinsThere are brick-works and stone quarries, and much lime is burnt in the neighbourhood.
The town is surrounded by chalk-hills and quarries, from which is dug a free-stone, of the most delicate white.
British Dictionary definitions for quarry (1 of 3)
/ (ˈkwɒrɪ) /
an open surface excavation for the extraction of building stone, slate, marble, etc, by drilling, blasting, or cutting
a copious source of something, esp information
to extract (stone, slate, etc) from or as if from a quarry
(tr) to excavate a quarry in
to obtain (something, esp information) diligently and laboriously: he was quarrying away in the reference library
Origin of quarry
1British Dictionary definitions for quarry (2 of 3)
/ (ˈkwɒrɪ) /
an animal, bird, or fish that is hunted, esp by other animals; prey
anything pursued or hunted
Origin of quarry
2British Dictionary definitions for quarry (3 of 3)
/ (ˈkwɒrɪ) /
Origin of quarry
3Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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