scoria

noun

sco·​ria ˈskȯr-ē-ə How to pronounce scoria (audio)
plural scoriae ˈskȯr-ē-ˌē How to pronounce scoria (audio)
-ē-ˌī
1
: the refuse from melting of metals or reduction of ores : slag
2
: rough vesicular cindery lava
scoriaceous
ˌskȯr-ē-ˈā-shəs How to pronounce scoria (audio)
adjective

Examples of scoria 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.
And right next door to this feature is a reddish cone that is obviously a cinder/scoria cone. — Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2012 AlaskaVeniaminof continues to be active in the Aleutian arc and the latest NASA Earth Observatory imagery (above) captures the small ash plume (and ash deposits) along with the small lava flow that continues to issue from the scoria cone within the main caldera. — Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 16 Aug. 2013

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, from Greek skōria, from skōr excrement — more at scatology

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scoria was in the 14th century

Rhymes for scoria

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Browse Nearby Words

score to settle
scoria
scoriac
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Cite this Entry

“Scoria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scoria. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

scoria

noun
sco·​ria ˈskōr-ē-ə How to pronounce scoria (audio)
ˈskȯr-
plural scoriae -ē-ˌē How to pronounce scoria (audio)
-ē-ˌī
: rough cindery lava

More from Merriam-Webster on scoria

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scoria

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