crystal

1 of 2

noun

crys·tal ˈkri-stᵊl

Synonyms of crystal next

: quartz that is transparent or nearly so and that is either colorless or only slightly tinged

: something resembling crystal in transparency and colorlessness

: a body that is formed by the solidification of a chemical element, a compound, or a mixture and has a regularly repeating internal arrangement of its atoms and often external plane faces

: a clear colorless glass of superior quality

also : objects or ware of such glass

: the glass or transparent plastic cover over a watch or clock dial

: a crystalline material used in electronics as a frequency-determining element or for rectification

: crystal meth

broadly : methamphetamine in any form when used illicitly

crystal

2 of 2

adjective

: consisting of or resembling crystal : clear, lucid

: relating to or using a crystal

a crystal radio receiver

Examples of crystal in a Sentence

Noun the crystal structure of minerals a necklace made of crystal Some of the crystals used in the necklace are a pale pink color. The wine glasses are made of the finest crystal. She inherited her mother's crystal. Adjective an unspoiled region with majestic mountains and crystal streams

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

When Céline Dion married René Angélil in 1994, her intricate tiara made quite an impression — and not just because it was embellished with 2,000 Swarovski crystals. —

EW.com, 24 Apr. 2024 That lactic acid combines with the calcium present in the aging cheese to form crystals. —

Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 23 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for crystal

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'crystal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English cristal "transparent quartz, object made from it," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin crystallum, crystallus, crustallum "clear ice, rock crystal," borrowed from Greek krýstallos, probably borrowed from a pre-Greek substratum; replacing Old English cristalla, cristal, cristallum, borrowed from Latin crystallum

Note: Greek krýstallos was traditionally linked etymologically with krýos "icy cold, frost" and Latin crusta "hard surface layer," though the morphological details were not explicable (and crusta does not refer to ice or cold). More likely, as asserted by Robert Beekes (Etymological Dictionary of Greek [Leiden: Brill, 2010], p. 787), krýstallos, as evidenced by the suffix -allos (from *al^y- according to Beekes) and the variant króstallos, is of pre-Greek origin. Cf. notes at cryo-, crust.

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of crystal was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Crystal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crystal. Accessed 4 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

crystal

1 of 2 noun

crys·tal ˈkris-tᵊl

: a quartz that is transparent or nearly so

: something transparent like crystal

: a solid form of a substance or mixture that has a regularly repeating internal arrangement of its atoms and often external plane faces

a crystal of quartz

a snow crystal

a salt crystal

: a clear colorless glass of very good quality

also : things made of this glass

: the transparent cover over a watch or clock dial

crystal

2 of 2 adjective

: made of or resembling crystal

: using a crystal as a detector

a crystal radio receiver

Medical Definition

crystal

noun

crys·tal ˈkris-tᵊl

: a body that is formed by the solidification of a chemical element, a compound, or a mixture and has a regularly repeating internal arrangement of its atoms and often external plane faces

: crystal meth

broadly : methamphetamine in any form when used illicitly

crystal adjective

Geographical Definition

Crystal

geographical name

Crys·tal ˈkri-stᵊl

city in southeastern Minnesota north of Minneapolis population 22,151

Last Updated: 28 Apr 2024 - Updated example sentences

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crystal

noun

adjective

Synonyms

Examples of crystal in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near crystal

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

Geographical Definition

geographical name