Stone has 21 different meanings across 4 categories:
Noun · Verb · Adjective · Proper Noun
building material consisting of a piece of rock hewn in a definite shape for a special purpose
"he wanted a special stone to mark the site"
an avoirdupois unit used to measure the weight of a human body; equal to 14 pounds
"a heavy chap who must have weighed more than twenty stone"
United States jurist who was named chief justice of the United States Supreme Court in 1941 by Franklin D. Roosevelt (1872-1946)
"The history books often contrast Stone's earlier progressive rulings with his later conservative decisions as Chief Justice."
United States filmmaker (born in 1946)
"The documentary features an interview with Stone, the celebrated US filmmaker born in 1946 who revolutionized independent cinema."
United States feminist and suffragist (1818-1893)
"The history class focused on Elizabeth Cady Stone, a pioneering figure in the fight for women's voting rights."
United States journalist who advocated liberal causes (1907-1989)
"The historian noted that Stone's groundbreaking articles on civil rights and labor unions shaped the political landscape of the 1960s."
United States jurist who served on the United States Supreme Court as chief justice (1872-1946)
"The historian argued that Stone's tenure as chief justice marked a pivotal shift in the interpretation of civil liberties during the 1930s."
United States architect (1902-1978)
"The museum dedicated a new wing to the late Robert A.M. Stone, whose modernist designs redefined urban architecture in the mid-twentieth century."
a lack of feeling or expression or movement
"he must have a heart of stone"
"her face was as hard as stone"
A hard earthen substance that can form large rocks.
"Geologists collected samples of stone from the quarry to study how it forms into massive boulders over time."
In plain English: A stone is a hard piece of rock that you can pick up from the ground.
Usage: Use "stone" to refer to a single, small piece of rock or a specific type of gem, rather than referring to a large mass which is typically called a rock. It often functions as a countable noun in everyday contexts like "throwing a stone" or "a river stone."
To pelt with stones, especially to kill by pelting with stones.
"The angry mob gathered at the village square and began to stone anyone who refused to join their protest."
In plain English: To stone means to kill someone by throwing rocks at them.
"She decided to stone the pebble from her pocket and toss it into the stream."
Usage: Use "stone" as a verb when describing the act of throwing stones at someone or something, often with the intent to harm or destroy it. This usage typically appears in contexts involving violence against people or fruit trees rather than general hitting.
of any of various dull tannish or grey colors
"The old barn paint had faded to a stone color that blended perfectly with the surrounding rocks."
Constructed of stone.
"The ancient temple was constructed of massive stone blocks that have stood for centuries."
In plain English: When something is described as stone, it means it is completely solid and unyielding.
"The stone path across the garden was worn smooth by years of use."
Usage: Use the adjective "stone" to describe something made entirely of rock, such as a stone wall or stone bridge. It functions as an attributive noun that directly modifies the object without needing the word "made of."
As a stone (used with following adjective).
"The heavy rain turned the dusty path into a slippery sheet of ice, making every step feel like walking on polished stone."
In plain English: To stone someone means to throw rocks at them as punishment.
"He looked up at the stars stone still."
An English occupational and habitational surname, from Old English, for someone who lived near a stone worked with stone, from Old English stan.
"The new mayor's last name is Stone, which his great-grandfather adopted because he lived next to the quarry where they cut slate."
The word "stone" comes from the Old English stān and traces its roots to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to stiffen." It has been used in English with this same meaning since before recorded history.