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rock formation

rock formation

14 3.6
A natural shape of rocks made over a long time by wind or water
  • noun
  • /rɑk fɔrˈmeɪʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : formación rocosa
  • See that rock formation?
  • interesting rock formations
  • underlying rock formations

These are rock formation that are built by microbes.

Examples

  • "Rock City" has lots of interesting rock formations reminiscent of parts of Devil's.

    Blog text (4)
  • I am from Shiprock, the huge rock formation whose name translates into Tall leader or the rock with wings.

  • The most famous rock formation in Australia, if not the world.

  • You can see the rock formations.

  • Look at the rock formations ahead.

  • It's a rock formation called Grandpa's Nose.

  • Can't wait to show you guys Today we're heading out to see the famous natural rock formation, The Arch.

  • The tour guide will show us the unique glacial and rock formations along the St. Croix downstream from Taylor Falls.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Somehow satisfied with the wolves at hand, Marty stares up at the imposing rock formations above.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Let's go down lower and head for that rock formation over there.

Synonyms

formation
vsrock formation
  • Specialized
57 6.3

A layer of rock that has the same type and origin

is used more generally for any natural rock structure rather than formal geological units
geological formation
vsrock formation
  • Specialized
3 4.4

A natural layer of rock or soil that looks different from the layers around it

is more general and not limited to named or classified layers
rock outcrop
vsrock formation
  • Specialized
1 6.0

A piece of hard rock that sticks out above the ground

refers more broadly to rock structures anywhere not only surface exposures

How Big

mountain
1.0
cliff
438 1.0
rock formation
  • Specialized
14 3.6
outcrop
  • Specialized
7 7.4
pile
426 1.9

Surface Forms

Morphology

rock + formation

The meaning is directly derivable from combining 'rock' (natural solid mineral material) and 'formation' (a formed geological unit) — together denoting a structure made of rock. This is a straightforward noun–noun compound following common compositional patterns across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand it.

Etymology

Rock formation comes from the simple picture of rock + formation: pieces of rock are slowly shaped and put together by wind, water and time into a clear shape. So it now means 'a natural structure made of rock'.