1. Sedimentary rocks or deposits composed of sand grains with a greenish tint, typically containing glauconite and formed in marine environments.
Usage: geology; usually plural; also called greensand
2. A geological formation or stratum of such greenish sandstone, particularly those found in the Cretaceous period in southern England.
Usage: geology; historical/regional; capitalized when referring to specific formations

Examples

• The cliffs along the coast reveal layers of greensands dating back to the Cretaceous period.
• Geologists identified greensands in the core sample, indicating a shallow marine depositional environment.
• The Greensands of southern England are known for their distinctive greenish color and fossil content.
• Greensands are often used as a source of glauconite, which has agricultural applications.
• The presence of greensands in the rock sequence helped date the geological formation.