- 1[uncountable] (often used before nouns or in compounds) a hard, solid mineral substance that is found in the ground, often used for building Most of the houses are built of stone. stone walls a stone floor a flight of stone steps see limestone, sandstone, soapstone
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- 2[countable] a small piece of rock of any shape a pile of stones Some children were throwing stones into the lake. see hailstone, philosopher's stone
- 3[countable] (usually in compounds) a piece of stone shaped for a particular purpose These words are carved on the stone beside his grave. see cornerstone, foundation stone, gravestone, headstone, lodestone, millstone, paving stone, stepping stone, tombstone jewel
- 4[countable] = precious stone in body
- 5[countable] (often in compounds) a small piece of hard material that can form in the bladder or kidney and cause pain kidney stones see gallstone Idioms
hard substance
(of a decision, plan, etc.) unable to be changed People should remember that our proposals aren't set in stone.
to be a person who does not show others sympathy
to achieve two things at the same time with one action
to try every possible course of action in order to find or achieve something
almost impossible to obtain Getting an apology from him was like getting blood from a stone.
you should not criticize other people, because they will easily find ways of criticizing you
a person who moves from place to place, job to job, etc. does not have a lot of money, possessions, or friends but is free from responsibilities
a very short distance away We live just a stone's throw from here. The hotel is within a stone's throw of the beach.
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