supercontinent

noun

su·​per·​con·​ti·​nent ˈsü-pər-ˌkän-tə-nənt How to pronounce supercontinent (audio)
-ˌkänt-nənt
: a hypothetical former large continent from which other continents are held to have broken off and drifted away

Examples of supercontinent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Australia’s theropod fauna could have played a pivotal role in the ecosystems of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Feb. 2025 However, 300 million years ago, it was located under what would become North America during the era of the supercontinent Pangaea. Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025 Over the decades, seismic data revealed that these supercontinents make up about 20% of the mantle-core boundary. Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025 Others travelled north into Laurasia, the supercontinent that eventually split into Europe, Asia, and North America. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for supercontinent

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of supercontinent was in 1960

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Cite this Entry

“Supercontinent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supercontinent. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

supercontinent

noun
su·​per·​con·​ti·​nent ˈsü-pər-ˌkänt-ᵊn-ənt How to pronounce supercontinent (audio)
-ˌkänt-nənt
: a former large continent which is assumed to have existed and from which other continents broke off and drifted away

More from Merriam-Webster on supercontinent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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