shale
noun
a rock of fissile or laminated structure formed by the consolidation of clay or argillaceous material.
shales
-
pluralof shale.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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.
National Fuel Gas owns roughly 1.2 million acres in the Appalachian Basin, with substantial mineral ownership overlying the Marcellus and Utica shales.
From Barron's ● Jan. 23, 2026
The discovery was made at Lavernock Point, close to Cardiff and Penarth, where the cliffs of dark-coloured shales and limestones document ancient shallow seas.
From Science Daily ● May 30, 2024
"The oil shales are running out of Tier 1 inventory," said Bryan Sheffield, founder of energy investors Formentera Partners and Scott Sheffield's son.
From Reuters ● Oct. 11, 2023
One reason is that hydrogen is scarce in the sedimentary rocks that yield oil and gas, such as organic-rich shales or mudstones.
From Science Magazine ● Feb. 15, 2023
At intervals muds were laid down which later became consolidated into rocks known as "shales" and "argillites."
From Glacier National Park [Montana] by United States Dept. of the Interior
