limestone: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Academic, also common in geography/construction contexts.
Quick answer
What does “limestone” mean?
A sedimentary rock composed mainly of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), often formed from the skeletal fragments of marine organisms.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sedimentary rock composed mainly of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), often formed from the skeletal fragments of marine organisms.
A versatile building material and key ingredient in cement and lime production, also forming distinctive landscapes like caves and cliffs.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling and usage are identical.
Connotations
In the UK, strongly associated with regional architecture (e.g., Cotswolds, Portland stone) and historic buildings. In the US, often associated with the Midwest 'limestone belt' and specific commercial quarries (e.g., Indiana limestone).
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties in technical, geographical, and industrial contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “limestone” in a Sentence
[limestone] + [verb: erodes, forms, contains][verb: quarry, cut, dissolve] + [limestone][adjective: porous, dolomitic, fossiliferous] + [limestone]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “limestone” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The area was heavily limestoneed in the 19th century for building.
American English
- They plan to limestone the foundation for better drainage.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial use]
American English
- [No standard adverbial use]
adjective
British English
- The limestone cliffs are a popular climbing destination.
American English
- We toured a historic limestone quarry.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referenced in construction materials, mining, and cement manufacturing industries.
Academic
Central term in geology, geography, archaeology, and environmental science.
Everyday
Used when discussing home construction, landscape features (caves, cliffs), or historical buildings.
Technical
Specified by type (e.g., oolitic, fossiliferous), purity, and geological formation in engineering and geology.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “limestone”
- Using 'limestone' as a general term for any grey building stone.
- Misspelling as 'lime stone' (should be one word or hyphenated: limestone or lime-stone).
- Confusing 'limestone' with 'sandstone' or 'granite'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Marble is a metamorphic rock formed when limestone is subjected to intense heat and pressure, which recrystallizes its structure.
Because limestone is soluble in weakly acidic water (e.g., rainwater with dissolved carbon dioxide), which slowly dissolves the rock, creating cavities and passages.
Yes, but its durability varies. Some dense limestones are excellent, while softer, more porous types may weather and erode relatively quickly in freeze-thaw cycles.
Quicklime (calcium oxide) is produced by heating limestone in a kiln. When water is added, it becomes slaked lime (calcium hydroxide), used historically in mortar and plaster.
A sedimentary rock composed mainly of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), often formed from the skeletal fragments of marine organisms.
Limestone is usually technical/academic, also common in geography/construction contexts. in register.
Limestone: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪmstəʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪmstoʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms directly with 'limestone'. Conceptually linked to 'written in stone' for permanence, though limestone weathers.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'LIME' (the chemical, calcium oxide, comes from heating it) + STONE. It's the stone that makes lime.
Conceptual Metaphor
A RECORDING MEDIUM: Limestone landscapes 'record' ancient climates through fossils and layers. A FILTER: Porous limestone filters groundwater.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary chemical component of limestone?