olivine

1 of 2

noun

ol·​iv·​ine ˈä-lə-ˌvēn How to pronounce olivine (audio)
: a usually greenish mineral that is a complex silicate of magnesium and iron used especially in refractories compare peridot
olivinic
ˌä-lə-ˈvi-nik How to pronounce olivine (audio)
adjective
or olivinitic
ˌä-lə-və-ˈni-tik How to pronounce olivine (audio)

olivinic

2 of 2

adjective

ol·​i·​vin·​ic
variants or olivinitic
¦äləvə¦nitik How to pronounce olivinic (audio)
: relating to, resembling, or containing olivine

Examples of olivine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
As the cone eroded over time, olivine crystals became concentrated in this area. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2025 This involves adding finely ground olivine—a naturally occurring olive-green colored mineral—to sandy beaches. — ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2025 Both meteorites contain olivine and pyroxene, minor albitic plagioclase, and oldhamite. — Ben Rider-Stokes, JSTOR Daily, 17 July 2025 Its floor is nearly entirely covered in dark, mineral-rich rock — known as mafic material — containing magnesium, iron and minerals such as pyroxine and olivine. — Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 6 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for olivine

Word History

Etymology

Noun

German Olivin, from Latin oliva

Adjective

International Scientific Vocabulary olivine + -ic or -itic

First Known Use

Noun

1794, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of olivine was in 1794

Rhymes for olivine

See All Rhymes for olivine

Browse Nearby Words

oliviform
olivine
olivinic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Olivine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/olivine. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

olivine

noun
ol·​iv·​ine ˈäl-ə-ˌvēn How to pronounce olivine (audio)
: a usually greenish mineral that is a silicate of magnesium and iron

More from Merriam-Webster on olivine

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about olivine

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