pumice

noun

pum·​ice ˈpə-məs How to pronounce pumice (audio)
: a volcanic glass full of cavities and very low in density that is used especially in powder form for smoothing and polishing
pumiceous
pyü-ˈmi-shəs How to pronounce pumice (audio)
ˌpə-
adjective

Examples of pumice 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.
At the time, a team including University of California Riverside microbiologist Michael Allen took a helicopter into an area that the volcanic eruption previously reduced to porous pumice. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024 Lumia can increase abrasion effects without pumice stone and replace permanganate. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 25 Oct. 2024 Exfoliate up to twice a week with a sugar scrub or pumice stone for more manual exfoliation. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 Oct. 2024 Additionally, Crescent replaces pumice stones with ceramic stones and finishes garments with cleaner alternatives to potassium permanganate spray. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pumice 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pomis, from Anglo-French pomice, from Latin pumic-, pumex — more at foam

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pumice was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near pumice

pumex

pumice

pumiced sole

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Pumice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pumice. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

pumice

noun
pum·​ice ˈpəm-əs How to pronounce pumice (audio)
: a very light glass that is formed by the rapid cooling of lava from volcanoes, is full of small holes, and is used especially in powder form for smoothing and polishing

Medical Definition

pumice

noun
pum·​ice ˈpəm-əs How to pronounce pumice (audio)
: a volcanic glass full of cavities and very light in weight used especially in powder form for smoothing and polishing

More from Merriam-Webster on pumice

Nglish: Translation of pumice for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pumice

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