lapis lazuli

American  

[lap-is laz-oo-lee, -lahy, laz-yoo-, lazh-oo-] / ˈlæp ɪs ˈlæz ʊ li, -ˌlaɪ, ˈlæz yʊ-, ˈlæʒ ʊ- /

noun

1. a deep-blue mineral composed mainly of lazurite with smaller quantities of other minerals, used mainly as a gem or as a pigment.

2. a sky-blue color; azure.

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lapis lazuli British  

/ ˈlæpɪs /

noun

1. a brilliant blue variety of the mineral lazurite, used as a gemstone

2. the deep blue colour of lapis lazuli

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Etymology

Origin of lapis lazuli

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin, equivalent to Latin lapis “stone” + Medieval Latin lazulī, genitive of lazulum “lapis lazuli”; azure

Example Sentences

The boy king's gold-covered sarcophagus and his burial mask, inlaid with lapis lazuli, will take centre stage at Saturday's opening.

From Barron's • Oct. 31, 2025

Moreover, could it have functioned as a sacred cemetery for nomadic travellers, considering that the closest source of lapis lazuli found in these graves likely traces back to distant Afghanistan?

From BBC • Oct. 5, 2023

Other discoveries included semiprecious stones such as amber from the Baltics and lapis lazuli and carnelian from Mesopotamia and the northern Levant, according to Fischer.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 11, 2023

But who was mining the lapis lazuli in Afghanistan and under what conditions?

From New York Times • May 25, 2023

Here was a street paved in lapis lazuli, the carved facades of buildings rising up on either side.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor