granite

noun

gran·​ite ˈgra-nət 

1

: a very hard natural igneous rock formation of visibly crystalline texture formed essentially of quartz and orthoclase or microcline and used especially for building and for monuments

2

: unyielding firmness or endurance

… the cold granite of Puritan formalism.

—V. L. Parrington

granitelike

ˈgra-nət-ˌlīk 

adjective

granitic

gra-ˈni-tik 

adjective

granitoid

ˈgra-nə-ˌtȯid 

adjective

Synonyms of granite

• decision
• determination
• decisiveness
• resolve

Examples of granite in a Sentence

had the granite to see the project out to the end

Recent Examples on the Web

That afternoon, Potter, Rapp, and Hunt hiked out to Taft Point, a prow of granite overlooking Yosemite Valley. —Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 4 May 2026

That Maine granite has always been grey. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 4 May 2026

By comparing the signal with known rocks and minerals from Earth, the moon and Mars, the team ruled out an Earth-like crust rich in silica and granite. —Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 4 May 2026

Sitting at 2,407 feet above sea level, there are almost 2,800 acres of granite boulders that look out on nearly 400,000 acres (so definitely as far as the eye can see) of the Talladega National Forest and Cheaha Wilderness. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 2 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian granito, from past participle of granire to granulate, from grano grain, from Latin granum

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for granite

• gannet
• planet
• intranet
• pomegranate

Kids Definition

granite

noun

gran·​ite ˈgran-ət 

1

: a very hard rock that can be polished and is used in buildings and monuments

2

: unyielding firmness (as of character, will, or opinion)