pyroxene
noun
py·rox·ene
pī-ˈräk-ˌsēn 
pə-
: any of a group of igneous-rock-forming silicate minerals that contain calcium, sodium, magnesium, iron, or aluminum, usually occur in short prismatic crystals or massive form, are often laminated, and vary in color from white to dark green or black
Examples of pyroxene in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, its mineralogy includes chromium-rich pyroxene containing approximately 1 percent iron.
—
Ben Rider-Stokes, JSTOR Daily, 17 July 2025
Ol, olivine; Pl, plagioclase; Px, pyroxene; Ilm, ilmenite; and Ap, apatite.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 16 July 2025
Both meteorites from the study, which Rider-Stokes analyzed with several instruments including an electron microscope, contain olivine and pyroxene, two iron-poor minerals confirmed by MESSENGER to be present on Mercury.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 14 July 2025
Through their research, the team has discovered two types of mineral-rich volcanic rocks: a dark rock with iron, magnesium, pyroxene and plagioclase feldspar, as well as a light-toned trachyandesite with plagioclase crystals and potassium.
—Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Already, preliminary analysis of the sediment core has uncovered lower levels of the mineral pyroxene than what has been found in other parts of the world, along with higher levels of magnesium.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Aug. 2024
There was less of the mineral pyroxene and higher concentrations of magnesium in the rock.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 8 Aug. 2024
So, take something like plagioclase, pyroxene and olivine, the most abundant minerals in basalt and all anhydrous (lacking water in their structure) and plop it for thousands to millions of years in a wet environment like an ocean floor.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 27 June 2024
These rocks are often heavy in minerals like olivine and pyroxene.
—Matt Benoit, Discover Magazine, 19 Dec. 2023
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Ben Rider-Stokes, JSTOR Daily, 17 July 2025
Ol, olivine; Pl, plagioclase; Px, pyroxene; Ilm, ilmenite; and Ap, apatite.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 16 July 2025
Both meteorites from the study, which Rider-Stokes analyzed with several instruments including an electron microscope, contain olivine and pyroxene, two iron-poor minerals confirmed by MESSENGER to be present on Mercury.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 14 July 2025
Through their research, the team has discovered two types of mineral-rich volcanic rocks: a dark rock with iron, magnesium, pyroxene and plagioclase feldspar, as well as a light-toned trachyandesite with plagioclase crystals and potassium.
—Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Already, preliminary analysis of the sediment core has uncovered lower levels of the mineral pyroxene than what has been found in other parts of the world, along with higher levels of magnesium.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Aug. 2024
There was less of the mineral pyroxene and higher concentrations of magnesium in the rock.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 8 Aug. 2024
So, take something like plagioclase, pyroxene and olivine, the most abundant minerals in basalt and all anhydrous (lacking water in their structure) and plop it for thousands to millions of years in a wet environment like an ocean floor.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 27 June 2024
These rocks are often heavy in minerals like olivine and pyroxene.
—Matt Benoit, Discover Magazine, 19 Dec. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Pyroxene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pyroxene. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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pyroxene
noun
py·rox·ene
pī-ˈräk-ˌsēn
: any of various silicate minerals that usually contain aluminum, calcium, sodium, magnesium, or iron
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