# limestone

/ˈɫaɪmˌstoʊn/ (US) · /lˈaɪmstəʊn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/limestone
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the rock type

noun · CEFR B2

a hard, light-coloured rock that is formed under the sea from the shells of tiny creatures.

For teachers: a sedimentary rock consisting predominantly of calcium carbonate, typically formed from the accumulation of organic remains such as shells and coral.

- The white limestone cliffs along the coast are a famous local landmark.
- Geologists identified the strata as fossiliferous limestone, indicating that the entire region was once submerged beneath a shallow tropical sea.

Usage: Often used uncountably when referring to the material, but countably when referring to specific geological formations.

### 2. building material

noun · CEFR B2

this rock used as a material for making houses, walls, or statues.

For teachers: limestone utilised as a primary material in architecture, masonry, and sculpture due to its relative ease of carving and durability.

- Many of the old university buildings were constructed from local limestone.
- The cathedral's facade features intricate carvings executed in fine-grained limestone, which has weathered to a soft grey over the centuries.

## Examples

- The old church is built from local limestone.
- Rainwater slowly dissolves limestone over thousands of years, which can lead to the formation of deep underground caves.
- The region's unique topography is defined by its limestone bedrock, which creates a porous landscape where surface water quickly disappears into subterranean channels.

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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.