: a fissile rock that is formed by the consolidation of clay, mud, or silt, has a finely stratified or laminated structure, and is composed of minerals essentially unaltered since deposition
Examples of shale in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Faced this time with the reality that all of the big U.S. shale plays have now moved into the development and maintenance phase of their lifespans, Trump and his senior officials understand there can be no repeat of that first-term focus.
—
David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
The president’s preferred price based on his social media posts would hurt the U.S. shale industry .
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 14 May 2025
At first, Bennett and study coauthor Dr. Nicholas A. Famoso — the head paleontologist and museum curator at John Day — thought they could be caused by raindrops, which can leave impressions in the fine grains of shale and clay the tracks were found in.
—Amanda Schupak, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025
Domestic production is over 13 million barrels per day, with shale making up 70% of the total.
—Dan Eberhart, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shale
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.
David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
The president’s preferred price based on his social media posts would hurt the U.S. shale industry .
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 14 May 2025
At first, Bennett and study coauthor Dr. Nicholas A. Famoso — the head paleontologist and museum curator at John Day — thought they could be caused by raindrops, which can leave impressions in the fine grains of shale and clay the tracks were found in.
—Amanda Schupak, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025
Domestic production is over 13 million barrels per day, with shale making up 70% of the total.
—Dan Eberhart, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shale
Cite this Entry
“Shale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shale. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share