Is there a difference in a stone...?

Question

and a rock?

Dictionary
Stone
noun
1 the hard, solid, nonmetallic mineral matter of which rock is made

I really am looking for a geological answer to this. I am understanding that a stone is the mineral that makes up a rock. Yet a thesaurus gives a synonym for stone the word "rock." So are they the same. Or is it because one makes up the other.

I've got my own reasons for why this is important to me, but it is, so I was looking for a scientific clarification.

Answers appreciated. Links are fine.

Thank you.

Geomatic7000
Is this definition from Webster's bunk then? Considering it calls a stone "mineral" matter.

Answer 1

The words stone and rock can generally be used interchangeably. Stone is not used a word for mineral in my knowledge.

However, when I am writing about geology or what have you I would never use stone, I always use rock.

Answer 2

I do not believe that there is an answer related to science on this one. It's more of a linguistic issue, a word usage question.

For me personally, rock is the generic term for the solid material made from the combination of minerals. Stone applies only to a class of this material in a certain size range, the size range useful as a building material.

Like stone walls, bridges and buildings made of stone, pick up a stone and throw it. Almost always the word rock can be used in place of stone (all of my examples work with rock instead of stone), but stone can be used for rock in very limited conditions only.

A lot of people raised elsewhere in the world may have learned a different way of using the words rock and stone. My feeling on this one is that rock is more of an american usage, and stone more of a british-related usage. Just my feeling

Answer 3

One could utilize the size as differential...It's like stone vs boulder...Boulders contain stones which contain rocks (you can throw a rock...but you hurl {hurl means throw with both hands} a stone. When all is said and done everything rock and mineral eventually ends up as dust/sand...PEACE!

Answer 4

In general use, the terms are interchangable.
In geology the word 'rock` is preferred and
the '...stone` suffix can refer to types of 'rock`,
(Eg, 'sandstone`.)

Answer 5

They are the same