1
a
: formed by solidification of magma
igneous rock
b
: relating to, resulting from, or suggestive of the intrusion or extrusion of magma or volcanic activity
2
: of, relating to, or resembling fire : fiery
Examples of igneous in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The black expanse of thin, dense and relatively young basalt from those centers stands in stark contrast to thicker, more buoyant continental crust, which is primarily granite but contains the full gamut of sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks and can be billions of years old.
—
Evan Howell, Scientific American, 4 Feb. 2026
Olivine is a mineral primarily found in igneous rocks (rocks created through the solidification and crystallization of molten rock) that are rich in magnesium and iron.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2025
That's starkly different from how REEs are typically found on Earth, concentrating in small quantities as compounds in certain types of igneous rocks as magma cools.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 24 Nov. 2025
The area has since become a popular spot for gold mining due to the presence of the Yilgarn Craton, a major part of the Earth’s crust that consists of igneous and metamorphic rocks, per GeoScience Australia.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for igneous
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Evan Howell, Scientific American, 4 Feb. 2026
Olivine is a mineral primarily found in igneous rocks (rocks created through the solidification and crystallization of molten rock) that are rich in magnesium and iron.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2025
That's starkly different from how REEs are typically found on Earth, concentrating in small quantities as compounds in certain types of igneous rocks as magma cools.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 24 Nov. 2025
The area has since become a popular spot for gold mining due to the presence of the Yilgarn Craton, a major part of the Earth’s crust that consists of igneous and metamorphic rocks, per GeoScience Australia.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for igneous
Cite this Entry
“Igneous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/igneous. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
igneous
adjective
ig·ne·ous
ˈig-nē-əs 
: formed by hardening of melted earth
igneous rock
compare metamorphic, sedimentary sense 2
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
