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Arenite () is a sedimentary rock clastic rock with sand grain size between and containing less than 15% matrix. Britannica definition of arenite. Accessed on January 1, 2008 The related adjective is . The equivalent Modern Greek-derived term is psammite, though this is more commonly used for metamorphic rock sediments.
Since it refers to grain size rather than chemical composition, the term is used for example in the classification of clastic carbonatic limestones, as the particle size equivalent term sandstone is not appropriate for limestone. Other arenites include , , greensands, and .
Arenites mainly form by erosion of other rocks or turbidite re-deposition of sands. Some arenites contain a varying amount of carbonatic components and thus belong to the rock-category of carbonatic sandstones or silicate . Arenites often appear as massive or bedded medium-grained rocks with a middling- to wide-spaced preferred lamination and often develop a pronounced cleavage.
Pettijohn gives the following descriptive terms based on grain size, avoiding the use of terms such as "clay" or "argillaceous" which carry an implication of chemical composition:
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