volcano Hear it!

volcano Definition

vol·cano (väl kā′nō, vôl-)

noun pl. -·noes or -·nos

  1. a vent in the earth's crust through which molten rock (lava), rock fragments, gases, ashes, etc. are ejected from the earth's interior: a volcano is active while erupting, dormant during a long period of inactivity, or extinct when all activity has finally ceased
  2. a cone-shaped hill or mountain, wholly or chiefly of volcanic materials, built up around the vent, usually so as to form a crater

Etymology: It < L Volcanus, Vulcan

volcano Synonyms

volcano

n.

Famous volcanoes include: Vesuvius, Etna, Pelee, Ararat, Kilauea, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, Wrangel, Krakatoa, Paricutin, Popocatepetl, Jokullo, Izalco, Quezaltenango, Conseguina, Mount Hood, Lassen Peak, Mount Shasta, Mount Baker, Mount St. Helens, Shishaldin, Erebus, Smerin, Gowong, Lamongong, Kirunga, Stromboli, Vulcano, Fujiyama, Orizaba, Pinatubo;

volcano Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • erupt: On the distant horizon the erupting volcano was barely visible to us.
  • explode: Despite the scientist trying to control the monsters, they crush Tokyo underfoot, but an exploding volcano finally destroys the creatures.
  • climb: Alternatively, for the more adventurous, Cotopaxi, in the central sierra, is Ecuador's most frequently climbed volcano.
  • cap: When the mists clear however the view across to the snow capped volcanoes of the mainland is stunning.
  • locate: Ruapehu, an active andesite volcano located in the center of the North Island of New Zealand.

Converse of subject

dominate: Dundee maintains a spectacular position on the Tay Estuary and is dominated by a dormant volcano called " The Law " .

Adjective modifier

  • extinct: El Valle Situated in the crater of an extinct volcano, El Valle is famous for its Sunday Indian craft market.
  • dormant: A dormant volcano has not erupted in 2000 years.
  • snow-capped: Days 4,5 Relax in the Lake District in the shadow of snow-capped volcanoes.
  • undersea: A fishing vessel disappears in calm waters; an undersea volcano?
  • Hawaiian: A burst of polystyrene erupted like a Hawaiian volcano.
  • active: Do you know where the nearest active volcano is?

Preposition: on

island: The Spaceship was hidden in the crater of an extinct volcano on a remote island.

Modifies a noun

  • eruption: After experiencing the shock of an earthquake and a volcano eruption they will return to the futuristic Atrium for their reception or dinner.
  • crater: The latter species actually breeds nearby, in a water-filled volcano crater, at a peculiar outpost in its range.

Noun used with modifier

  • drive-in: Kilauea, at the center, is the ' drive-in volcano ' , with everyone flocking to see the latest spectacular eruption.
  • shield: Shield volcanoes are low or almost flat, which makes them look like a big shield.
  • mud: Forty minutes later we arrived at the mud volcano at the core of the reserve.
  • smoking: Within its borders are snow-capped mountains, smoking volcanoes, large rivers, lush tropical coastal plains and dense Amazonian jungle.
  • island: As one island volcano becomes extinct, another develops over the hotspot, and the cycle is repeated.