mineralogy

noun

min·​er·​al·​o·​gy ˌmi-nə-ˈrä-lə-jē How to pronounce mineralogy (audio) -ˈra- How to pronounce mineralogy (audio)
1
: a science dealing with minerals, their crystallography, properties, classification, and the ways of distinguishing them
2
: the mineralogical characteristics of an area, a rock, or a rock formation
mineralogical
ˌmi-nə-rə-ˈlä-ji-kəl How to pronounce mineralogy (audio)
ˌmin-rə-
adjective
or less commonly mineralogic
ˌmi-nə-rə-ˈlä-jik How to pronounce mineralogy (audio)
ˌmin-rə-
mineralogically
ˌmi-nə-rə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce mineralogy (audio)
ˌmin-rə-
adverb
mineralogist
ˌmi-nə-ˈrä-lə-jist How to pronounce mineralogy (audio) -ˈra- How to pronounce mineralogy (audio)
noun

Examples of mineralogy 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.
The discovery adds momentum to a growing field of lunar mineralogy. — Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026 In the mineralogy gallery, the display case containing the nuggets was broken into with a blowtorch, authorities said. — Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025 Both meteorites share similar mineralogy with what scientists have predicted about the planet’s crust, Rider-Stokes says in a statement. — Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 July 2025 But Charnoz argues this may merely reflect how the cooling process sets the basic mineralogy of these primitive meteorites, followed by later processes, such as heating, evaporation or water circulation, giving the final touches to their mineralogy. — Javier Barbuzano, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mineralogy

Word History

Etymology

probably from New Latin *mineralogia, irregular from Medieval Latin minerale + Latin -logia -logy

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mineralogy was in 1661

Rhymes for mineralogy

See All Rhymes for mineralogy

Browse Nearby Words

mineralography
mineralogy
mineraloid
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mineralogy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mineralogy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mineralogy

Nglish: Translation of mineralogy for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mineralogy

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