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continental drift
noun
: a slow movement of the continents on a deep-seated viscous zone within the earth compare plate tectonics
Examples of continental drift in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And there’s a game where visitors piece back together Gondwana while exploring the concepts of evolution, tectonic plates and continental drift.
—Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2024
Yes, there is fossil evidence of continental drift.
—Sofia Quaglia, Discover Magazine, 21 Dec. 2023
The far-reaching distribution of Glossopteris provided integral evidence to support the idea of continental drift.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 10 Nov. 2023
Later, German scientist Alfred Wegener formed the theory of continental drift — which hypothesized that the continents separated and drifted to other locations.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 10 Nov. 2023
See all Example Sentences for continental drift
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'continental drift.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1926, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of continental drift was
in 1926
Dictionary Entries Near continental drift
Cite this Entry
“Continental drift.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/continental%20drift. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.
Kids Definition
continental drift
noun
: the slow movement of the continents on a fluid layer that extends to deep within the earth
More from Merriam-Webster on continental drift
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about continental drift
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