sandstone

American  

[sand-stohn] / ˈsændˌstoʊn /

noun

1. a common sedimentary rock consisting of sand, usually quartz, cemented together by various substances, as silica, calcium carbonate, iron oxide, or clay.

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sandstone British  

/ ˈsændˌstəʊn /

noun

1. any of a group of common sedimentary rocks consisting of sand grains consolidated with such materials as quartz, haematite, and clay minerals: used widely in building

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sandstone Scientific  

/ sănd′stōn′ /

1. A medium-grained sedimentary rock consisting of fine to coarse sand-sized grains that have been either compacted or cemented together by a material such as silica, iron oxide, or calcium carbonate. Although sandstone usually consists primarily of quartz, it can also consist of other minerals, and it can vary in color from yellow or red to gray or brown.

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sandstone Cultural  

1. A sedimentary rock formed of sand-sized grains that have been either compacted or cemented together. Although sandstone usually consists primarily of quartz, it can also consist of other minerals.

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Etymology

Origin of sandstone

First recorded in 1660–70; sand + stone

Example Sentences

A rash of glass and steel towers surround 19th Century sandstone buildings left from when a hospital occupied the city centre site.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

The level of detail rivals that of the world's best fossil sites formed in shale or sandstone.

From Science Daily • Apr. 23, 2026

Separately, Trump said he was replacing the decades-old sandstone paving stones in the colonnade, the pillared walkway that leads from the main White House mansion to the Oval Office.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

The majestic sandstone villa on Madison Avenue that the company shared with the Archdiocese of New York, and the quaint house in its logo, conveyed a sense of noncorporate charm.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

He twists his sandstone infantry cap in his hands.

From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed