Definition
A small or large solid piece of rock; a stone. Also used in many common expressions about strength and permanence.
Example
I bambini lanciavano pietre nel fiume.
Show translation
The children were throwing stones into the river.
Etymology
From Latin *petra*, itself borrowed from Ancient Greek *πέτρα* (pétra), meaning "rock" or "stone." The word entered Old Italian largely unchanged and remains the standard term across all Romance languages (Spanish *piedra*, French *pierre*, Portuguese *pedra*).
Cultural note
Stone is deeply woven into Italian culture — from the ancient Roman *sampietrini* (cobblestones paving Roman streets) to Renaissance sculpture. The idiom *avere il cuore di pietra* ("to have a heart of stone") means to be cold and unfeeling. Another common phrase, *chi di gallina nasce, convien che razzoli* aside, Italians say *non è caduto il mondo* — but for stubborn resolve they say *duro come la pietra*, "hard as stone." Rome itself is nicknamed *la città eterna* partly because it is built from volcanic *pietra* (tufa and travertine).