# sandstone

/ˈsænˌstoʊn/ (US) · /sˈændstəʊn/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. sedimentary rock

noun · CEFR B2

a type of rock formed from sand that has been pressed together naturally over millions of years.

For teachers: a clastic sedimentary rock consisting of sand-sized mineral particles or rock fragments. Uncountable when referring to the material and countable when referring to specific geological formations.

- The old church was built using local red sandstone from the nearby hills.
- The canyon walls are composed of layers of ancient sandstone, revealing millions of years of geological history through their distinct orange and red bands.

## Examples

- The old church is built from local red sandstone.
- Wind and water have carved the sandstone cliffs into smooth, flowing shapes over millions of years.
- The preservation of delicate fossils within the sandstone layer suggests a rapid burial process that protected the remains from scavengers and significant environmental decay.

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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.