tufa

noun

tu·fa ˈtü-fə

ˈtyü-

: tuff

: a porous rock formed as a deposit from springs or streams

specifically : travertine

tufaceous

tü-ˈfā-shəs

tyü-

adjective

Examples of tufa 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.

Limestone tufa towers emerge from the ancient lake’s shores while the blue saline waters stand in stark contrast to the sprawling earthen desert. — Kurtis Alexander, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Jan. 2023 Summer brings quiet paddling, kayaking, and beach camping among tufa towers. — Ted Alvarez, Outside, 9 Mar. 2026 Carved from porous tufa stone once covered by the sea, the four wine cathedrals are considered an engineering marvel. — Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026 As the saline lake retreated, rock formations called tufa, which had formed underwater, were left exposed along the shorelines. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2024 See All Example Sentences for tufa

Word History

Etymology

Italian tufo, from Latin tofus

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of tufa was in 1770

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Browse Nearby Words

Tuesdays

tufa

tufaceous

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Tufa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tufa. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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tufa

noun

Examples of tufa in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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