A stalactite (UK /ˈstaeləktaɪt/ , ˈSTæLəKTAɪT /us/ ; stəˈlaektaɪt stəˈlæktaɪt From the, (greek), stalasso σταλάσσω, to drip and meaning that) which drips is a type of formation that hangs from the ceiling, of caves, hot springs or manmade structures such as bridges. and mines stalactite is not necessarily a speleothem, though speleothems are the most common form of stalactite because of the abundance of limestone caves.