rock salt

noun

: common salt occurring in solid form as a mineral
also : salt artificially prepared in large crystals or masses

Examples of rock salt in a Sentence

I put some rock salt on the sidewalk to melt the ice.
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.
Pure rock salt has to be scattered on the decks afterward to remove any remaining snow and ice. — ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026 It can be sprinkled directly onto the ice to melt it, similar to the way rock salt works. — Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Feb. 2026 At the heart of their interest is a thick layer of rock salt known as the Boree Salt deposit. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 22 Feb. 2026 Keep sidewalks and parking lots ice-free with rock salt, calcium chloride, Purple Heat, or another de-icer. — Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 19 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rock salt

Word History

First Known Use

1693, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rock salt was in 1693

Rhymes for rock salt

See All Rhymes for rock salt

Browse Nearby Words

rock salmon
rock salt
rock samphire
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rock salt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rock%20salt. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rock salt

noun
: common salt in large crystals or masses

More from Merriam-Webster on rock salt

Nglish: Translation of rock salt for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rock salt

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