Advertisement - Continue reading below

Definition of "calcareous" [cal•ca•re•ous]

  • Composed of, containing, or characteristic of calcium carbonate, calcium, or limestone; chalky. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "calcareous" in a sentence
  • "Another concern is what the acid might do to the specific algae called calcareous coralline algae that holds the coral reefs together and act as a substrate or base upon which corals can grow."
  • "Her work showed that carrizaleños were highly skilled builders, who used local resources (such as calcareous stone) for construction."
  • "The oil in this composition, being dissolved by the lime, wholly disappears; and, uniting with the whole of the other ingredients, forms a kind of calcareous soap."