# slab

/ˈsɫæb/ (US) · /slˈæb/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/slab
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

a thick, flat piece of a hard material like stone, wood, or chocolate. It is usually rectangular and heavy.

For teachers: a broad, flat, and thick piece of a solid material, typically stone, concrete, or metal. In technical contexts, it may refer to a large block of memory or a tectonic plate.

## Examples

- He cut a thick slab of cheese for his sandwich.
- Workers laid a heavy concrete slab to create the foundation for the new garden shed.
- The sculptor spent weeks selecting the perfect slab of Carrara marble, looking for a piece without any internal fractures that might ruin the delicate features of the statue.

## Usage notes

- Often followed by 'of' to specify the material.

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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.