# gypsum

/ˈdʒɪpsəm/ (US) · /dʒˈɪpsəm/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gypsum
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a soft, white mineral that is used to make drywall and plaster. It is also used in some types of cement and fertilizers.

For teachers: a soft, white, crystalline mineral consisting of calcium sulfate dihydrate. It is widely used in the construction industry for drywall and in the production of plaster and cement.

## Examples

- The construction workers used gypsum to make the drywall.
- The factory produces large quantities of gypsum for the local construction market and for agricultural fertilizers.
- Geologists identified the presence of gypsum in the sedimentary layers, indicating that the area was once a shallow marine environment where evaporation concentrated the mineral deposits.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.