in stone

phrase

: in or into a permanent and unchangeable state
plans are not carved/etched/set/written in stone

Examples of in stone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
By 1974, Parton was out on her own, and her signature public image — the blond wigs, the cleavage-baring outfits that showed off her hourglass figure — was cast in stone. — Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2026 What's more, that hostility that led lawmakers in Indianapolis to kill state funding for public broadcasting no longer seems carved in stone. — David Folkenflik, NPR, 26 July 2026 Deep overhanging eaves cast long shadows across geometric leadlight windows, while thick bands of locally quarried sandstone wrap the base – Griffin’s signature, written not in ink but in stone. — Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026 The Curaçao goalkeeper, Eloy Room, made no fewer than fifteen saves, and one hopes that his post-match joke about deserving a statue will be suitably honored in stone. — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 17 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of in stone was in 1969

Rhymes for in stone

See All Rhymes for in stone

Browse Nearby Words

in stock
in stone
in storage
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“In stone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20stone. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All