1
: quartz that is transparent or nearly so and that is either colorless or only slightly tinged
2
: something resembling crystal in transparency and colorlessness
3
: a body that is formed by the solidification of a chemical element, a compound, or a mixture and has a regularly repeating internal arrangement of its atoms and often external plane faces
4
: a clear colorless glass of superior quality
also
: objects or ware of such glass
5
: the glass or transparent plastic cover over a watch or clock dial
6
: a crystalline material used in electronics as a frequency-determining element or for rectification
7
: crystal meth
broadly
: methamphetamine in any form when used illicitly
Synonyms
Examples of crystal in a Sentence
Noun
the crystal structure of minerals
a necklace made of crystal
Some of the crystals used in the necklace are a pale pink color.
The wine glasses are made of the finest crystal.
She inherited her mother's crystal.
Adjective
an unspoiled region with majestic mountains and crystal streams
Recent Examples on the Web
EW.com, 24 Apr. 2024
That lactic acid combines with the calcium present in the aging cheese to form crystals.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 23 Apr. 2024
Sun halos are optical illusions created when ice crystals form in the correct shape in the upper atmosphere, usually accompanying thin, wispy cirrus clouds.
—Chloe Rose Stuart-Ulin, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024
The fourth, a take on the Boyfriend Skeleton X-Ray, has a pink sapphire crystal case.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
Donors can buy a silver cup featuring 44 emeralds for $1,000 or a gold cup featuring 44 crystals for $5,000 at woodfordreserve.com.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2024
During life, proteins that helped to calcify the eggshell became trapped within the mineral crystals.
—Evan Thomas Saitta, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2024
The team was surprised that the Wigner crystal remained stable over a longer range than expected.
—Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024
There are 300 cups available to purchase: 200 silver cups with 44 emeralds priced at $1,000, and 100 gold cups with 44 crystals priced at $5,000 (these also come with a coffee table book about the Derby).
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2024
Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024
Just after taking a dip in the crystal blue water and lying out on their private beach, the power couple strolled hand in hand down a dock.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 27 Mar. 2024
Florence Pugh Florence Pugh also followed suit in a silver ensemble that also reminded us of the open water, thanks to its crystal water droplets.
—Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2024
Two hours east of Los Angeles, the city of Indian Wells sits in the arid Coachella Valley, where the crystal blue of an often unbearably bright sky touches down on the terra-cotta terrain.
—ELLE Decor, 24 May 2023
While the long, warm days are perfect to spend by the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, travelers who want a little more substance to their vacation can head inland to experience the island's charming towns, rustic cuisine, and ancient ruins.
—Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2024
Outside, a crystal blue ocean stretches for miles behind her.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 15 Feb. 2024
Among pieces designated for a grand reveal is a jeweled top dripping in crystal fringe.
—Leah Faye Cooper, Vogue, 11 Feb. 2024
Malta has become increasingly popular over the years, with its crystal blue waters and numerous historic sites.
—Jordi Lippe, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2024
Noun
When Céline Dion married René Angélil in 1994, her intricate tiara made quite an impression — and not just because it was embellished with 2,000 Swarovski crystals.
—EW.com, 24 Apr. 2024
That lactic acid combines with the calcium present in the aging cheese to form crystals.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 23 Apr. 2024
Sun halos are optical illusions created when ice crystals form in the correct shape in the upper atmosphere, usually accompanying thin, wispy cirrus clouds.
—Chloe Rose Stuart-Ulin, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024
The fourth, a take on the Boyfriend Skeleton X-Ray, has a pink sapphire crystal case.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
Donors can buy a silver cup featuring 44 emeralds for $1,000 or a gold cup featuring 44 crystals for $5,000 at woodfordreserve.com.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2024
During life, proteins that helped to calcify the eggshell became trapped within the mineral crystals.
—Evan Thomas Saitta, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2024
The team was surprised that the Wigner crystal remained stable over a longer range than expected.
—Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024
There are 300 cups available to purchase: 200 silver cups with 44 emeralds priced at $1,000, and 100 gold cups with 44 crystals priced at $5,000 (these also come with a coffee table book about the Derby).
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2024
Adjective
To promote her SKIMs summer bathing suit line, the 43 year old is seen in an Instagram video about to take a dive into crystal blue water.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024
Just after taking a dip in the crystal blue water and lying out on their private beach, the power couple strolled hand in hand down a dock.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 27 Mar. 2024
Florence Pugh Florence Pugh also followed suit in a silver ensemble that also reminded us of the open water, thanks to its crystal water droplets.
—Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2024
Two hours east of Los Angeles, the city of Indian Wells sits in the arid Coachella Valley, where the crystal blue of an often unbearably bright sky touches down on the terra-cotta terrain.
—ELLE Decor, 24 May 2023
While the long, warm days are perfect to spend by the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, travelers who want a little more substance to their vacation can head inland to experience the island's charming towns, rustic cuisine, and ancient ruins.
—Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2024
Outside, a crystal blue ocean stretches for miles behind her.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 15 Feb. 2024
Among pieces designated for a grand reveal is a jeweled top dripping in crystal fringe.
—Leah Faye Cooper, Vogue, 11 Feb. 2024
Malta has become increasingly popular over the years, with its crystal blue waters and numerous historic sites.
—Jordi Lippe, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'crystal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near crystal
Cite this Entry
“Crystal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crystal. Accessed 30 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
crystal
1 of 2 noun
crys·tal
ˈkris-tᵊl 
1
: a quartz that is transparent or nearly so
2
: something transparent like crystal
3
: a solid form of a substance or mixture that has a regularly repeating internal arrangement of its atoms and often external plane faces
a crystal of quartz
a snow crystal
a salt crystal
4
: a clear colorless glass of very good quality
also
: things made of this glass
5
: the transparent cover over a watch or clock dial
crystal
2 of 2 adjective1
: made of or resembling crystal
2
: using a crystal as a detector
a crystal radio receiver
Medical Definition
crystal
noun
crys·tal
ˈkris-tᵊl
1
: a body that is formed by the solidification of a chemical element, a compound, or a mixture and has a regularly repeating internal arrangement of its atoms and often external plane faces
2
: crystal meth
broadly
: methamphetamine in any form when used illicitly
crystal
adjective
Geographical Definition
Crystal
geographical name
Crys·tal
ˈkri-stᵊl
city in southeastern Minnesota north of Minneapolis population 22,151
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