lava
noun
la·va ˈlä-və 
ˈla-
ˈla- : molten rock that issues from a volcano or from a fissure in the surface of a planet (such as earth) or moon
also : such rock that has cooled and hardened
lavalike
ˈlä-və-ˌlīk
adjective ˈla-
Example Sentences
a flow of molten lava
Recent Examples on the Web When the topmost layers cooled and solidified, the lava beneath continued to flow in underground tubes. 
Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 29 July 2022 The lava flowed to the northeast of the city of Goma, destroying houses, schools and the city's main water reservoir. Sarah Ferguson, Forbes, 1 June 2022 The high temps from the nearby lava gave it an exclusive taste and an amazing crunch. Cailey Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2022 Columns of ash towered more than 40,000 feet into the sky, lava flowed into a nearby river, and ash blanketed several nearby villages. Grayson Quay, The Week, 5 Dec. 2021 These samples from Perseverance’s first science campaign show a crater floor that has eroded much more than expected, revealing igneous rocks formed by lava and magma. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 Local news footage showed lava and smoke pouring out of a fissure in the ground. Grayson Quay, The Week, 3 Aug. 2022 Director Sara Dosa's documentary, loaded with gorgeous streams of lava and plumes of ash, starts off on the cool side, a truck pushing its way through several feet of snow. Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 8 July 2022 For cooler weather and fascinating places to explore, Teide National Park's volcanic landscape, petrified lava, and panoramic views are the perfect escape from the beach. Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2022 See More
Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 29 July 2022 The lava flowed to the northeast of the city of Goma, destroying houses, schools and the city's main water reservoir. Sarah Ferguson, Forbes, 1 June 2022 The high temps from the nearby lava gave it an exclusive taste and an amazing crunch. Cailey Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2022 Columns of ash towered more than 40,000 feet into the sky, lava flowed into a nearby river, and ash blanketed several nearby villages. Grayson Quay, The Week, 5 Dec. 2021 These samples from Perseverance’s first science campaign show a crater floor that has eroded much more than expected, revealing igneous rocks formed by lava and magma. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 Local news footage showed lava and smoke pouring out of a fissure in the ground. Grayson Quay, The Week, 3 Aug. 2022 Director Sara Dosa's documentary, loaded with gorgeous streams of lava and plumes of ash, starts off on the cool side, a truck pushing its way through several feet of snow. Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 8 July 2022 For cooler weather and fascinating places to explore, Teide National Park's volcanic landscape, petrified lava, and panoramic views are the perfect escape from the beach. Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Italian, ultimately from Latin labes fall; akin to Latin labi to slide — more at sleep
First Known Use
1759, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing lava
Kids Definition
lava
noun
la·va ˈlä-və
ˈla-
: melted rock coming from a volcano or after it has cooled and hardened