quarrying

/'kwɔriiɳ/

Friendly

Word: Quarrying

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: Quarrying is the process of extracting (removing) stone or slate from a large open area in the ground called a "quarry." A quarry is like a big pit where rocks and stones are taken out to be used for building materials, like for houses, roads, and other structures.

Usage Instructions:

• When to Use: You can use the word "quarrying" when talking about the industry or activity related to obtaining stone or slate from the ground. It is often used in contexts related to construction, geology, and natural resources.

Example Sentence:

• The construction company is quarrying limestone to build the new bridge.

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced contexts, "quarrying" can also refer to the environmental impacts and regulations associated with the extraction of natural resources. For example: - The quarrying industry must follow strict environmental guidelines to reduce the impact on local ecosystems.

Word Variants:

• Quarry (verb): To extract stone from a quarry.
  • Example: They are quarrying granite for the new skyscraper.
• Quarrier (noun): A person who works in a quarry or is involved in quarrying.
  • Example: The quarrier carefully selected the best stones for construction.

Different Meaning:

• The word "quarry" can also mean a place where animals are hunted or pursued, but this usage is less common and mainly used in literary contexts.

Synonyms:

• Mining (though mining can refer to extracting various materials, not just stone)
• Extracting
• Digging (in a more general sense)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While there aren't specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "quarrying," you might come across phrases like "to dig deep," which can metaphorically mean to investigate thoroughly, similar to how one would dig in a quarry for valuable resources.

Summary:

In summary, "quarrying" is the process of extracting stone or slate from the ground.

Academic

Noun

1. the extraction of building stone or slate from an open surface quarry