SHALE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does shale mean? 

• SHALE (noun)
  The noun SHALE has 1 sense:

1. a sedimentary rock formed by the deposition of successive layers of clay

  Familiarity information: SHALE used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SHALE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A sedimentary rock formed by the deposition of successive layers of clay

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Hypernyms ("shale" is a kind of...):

sedimentary rock (rock formed from consolidated clay sediments)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "shale"):

humic shale (shale that is rich in humic acids)

oil shale (shale from which oil can be obtained by heating)

 Context examples 

The site is known for its cache of delicate marine specimens from the Early Jurassic –- such as lobsters and vampire squids with their ink sacs still intact — preserved in slabs of black shale.

(Fossils may need air to form, National Science Foundation)