: a common mineral that consists of iron disulfide, has a pale brass-yellow color and metallic luster, and is burned in making sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid
Examples of pyrite in a Sentence
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Since quartz, calcite and pyrite differ in transparency, symmetry and surface sheen, this sorting ability surprised the researchers.
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Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
Even the famous ink sac turned out to be a three-dimensional lump enriched with clays and pyrite.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2026
The researchers also found that the snail’s scales have both pyrite and greigite crystals embedded within their organic material.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Acid mine drainage forms when sulfide minerals, such as pyrite, are exposed to air during mining.
—Hélène Nguemgaing, Washington Post, 22 Jan. 2026
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Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
Even the famous ink sac turned out to be a three-dimensional lump enriched with clays and pyrite.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2026
The researchers also found that the snail’s scales have both pyrite and greigite crystals embedded within their organic material.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Acid mine drainage forms when sulfide minerals, such as pyrite, are exposed to air during mining.
—Hélène Nguemgaing, Washington Post, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pyrite
Cite this Entry
“Pyrite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pyrite. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pyrite
noun
py·rite
ˈpī-ˌrīt 
: a common mineral that consists of iron combined with sulfur, has a pale brass-yellow color and metallic luster, and is used especially in making sulfuric acid
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