volcano

noun

vol·​ca·​no väl-ˈkā-(ˌ)nō How to pronounce volcano (audio)
vȯl-
plural volcanoes or volcanos
Synonyms of volcanonext
1
: a vent in the crust of the earth or another planet or a moon from which usually molten or hot rock and steam issue
also : a hill or mountain composed wholly or in part of the ejected material
2
: something of explosively violent potential

Illustration of volcano

Illustration of volcano
  • 1 cinder cone
  • 2 shield volcano
  • 3 stratovolcano

Synonyms of volcano

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Examples of volcano in a Sentence

The volcano last erupted 25 years ago. after months of tension the roommates' living situation was a volcano
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.
Choose one of the 20 playable robots or four Ultraman characters to battle your family in unique battlegrounds with geysers, live volcanoes and other obstacles. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026 Perhaps that ties back to the untamed landscape of volcanoes and rough seas that piqued his curiosity in the first place. — Caitlin Babcock, Christian Science Monitor, 26 Oct. 2026 The world’s first demonstration of a subsea geothermal power plant has taken place near an active underwater volcano almost a mile below the ocean surface. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026 To go in a mine, to go on top of a semi-active volcano, to go on a Bulgarian river with a drunk boat captain. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for volcano

Word History

Etymology

Italian or Spanish; Italian vulcano, from Spanish volcán, ultimately from Latin Volcanus Vulcan

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of volcano was in 1665

Phrases Containing volcano

Browse Nearby Words

volcanize
volcano
volcanogenic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Volcano.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/volcano. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

volcano

noun
vol·​ca·​no väl-ˈkā-nō How to pronounce volcano (audio)
vȯl-
plural volcanoes or volcanos
: a vent in the earth's crust from which melted or hot rock and steam come out
also : a hill or mountain composed entirely or in part of the material thrown out
Etymology

from Italian or Spanish; Italian vulcano "volcano," from Spanish vulcán, from Latin Volcanus, Vulcanus "Vulcan (Roman god of fire)"

Word Origin
The ancient Greeks and Romans had many gods and goddesses. Each of these deities was in charge of a special kind of work or an aspect of nature. Many of the happenings in nature were explained in myth as the actions of one or more of these gods or goddesses. The Roman god of fire was known as Vulcanus in Latin (Vulcan in English). He was thought to live inside Mount Etna, a volcano on the island of Sicily. Vulcan was a giant who worked as a blacksmith, forging the thunderbolts for Jupiter, king of the gods. The smoke and occasional fiery rocks and lava that came from Mount Etna were thought to be from Vulcan's forge. That is how his name came to be applied to a mountain that sometimes spews forth fire and smoke.

More from Merriam-Webster on volcano

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about volcano

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