out·crop
ˈau̇t-ˌkräp 
1
: a coming out of bedrock or of an unconsolidated deposit to the surface of the ground
2
: the part of a rock formation that appears at the surface of the ground
out·crop
ˈau̇t-ˌkräp
ˌau̇t-ˈkräp
outcropped; outcropping; outcrops
1
: to project from the surrounding soil
ledges outcropping from the eroded slope
2
: to come to the surface : appear
Examples of outcrop in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Martin J. Kernan, Scientific American, 30 Sep. 2025
Tucked into an open space behind twin hogbacks, with a series of red rock outcrops and pinnacles reminiscent of Red Rocks Park, South Valley Park is one of the most enchanting places to hike in the metro area.
—John Meyer, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2025
Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
The previously oldest rock formation was the Acasta Gneiss, outcropping in the Slave Craton of the Canadian Northwest Territories.
—David Bressan, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
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Noun
At four remote sites near Saudi Arabia’s Nefud Desert, researchers are puzzling over 130 life-sized animal images emblazoned on rocky outcrops.
—Martin J. Kernan, Scientific American, 30 Sep. 2025
Tucked into an open space behind twin hogbacks, with a series of red rock outcrops and pinnacles reminiscent of Red Rocks Park, South Valley Park is one of the most enchanting places to hike in the metro area.
—John Meyer, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
These findings, unearthed from the Owl Rock Member that outcrops in a remote and less explored area of the site, reveal that at that time older animals like giant amphibians and armored crocodile relatives lived alongside newer species such as early frogs, turtles and pterosaurs.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
The previously oldest rock formation was the Acasta Gneiss, outcropping in the Slave Craton of the Canadian Northwest Territories.
—David Bressan, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for outcrop
Cite this Entry
“Outcrop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outcrop. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
outcrop
1 of 2 noun
out·crop
ˈau̇t-ˌkräp
1
: a coming out of bedrock to the surface of the ground
2
: the part of a rock formation that appears at the surface of the ground
outcrop
2 of 2 verb
out·crop
ˈau̇t-ˌkräp
(ˈ)au̇t-ˈkräp
outcropped; outcropping
: to come to the surface : appear
granite outcropping through softer rocks
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