shale

noun

: a fissile rock that is formed by the consolidation of clay, mud, or silt, has a finely stratified or laminated structure, and is composed of minerals essentially unaltered since deposition
shaley adjective
or less commonly shaly

Examples of shale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When to Raise pH in Soil Sandy gardens and areas with lots of granite are more likely to have acidic soil than clay-heavy gardens with an abundance of shale or limestone. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2025 There was a period where this was true but the growth of shale now sees energy as one of the most significant contributors to manufacturing in the U.S. and a source of critical revenue for several states. Mark Le Dain, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025 Faced this time with the reality that all of the big U.S. shale plays have now moved into the development and maintenance phase of their lifespans, Trump and his senior officials understand there can be no repeat of that first-term focus. David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025 The president’s preferred price based on his social media posts would hurt the U.S. shale industry . Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for shale

Word History

Etymology

probably from obsolete or dialect shale scale, shell, from Middle English, from Old English scealu — more at shell

First Known Use

1747, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shale was in 1747

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shale. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

shale

noun
: a rock with a fine grain formed from clay, mud, or silt
shaley adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on shale

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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