tectonism

noun

tec·​to·​nism ˈtek-tə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce tectonism (audio)
: the process of deformation that produces in the earth's crust its continents and ocean basins, plateaus and mountains, folds of strata, and faults

called also diastrophism

Examples of tectonism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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However, much of the Black Sea basin is bounded by passive margins, where no active tectonism is occurring -- not exactly the sort of place that a submarine volcanic eruption would occur. Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 11 Jan. 2013

Word History

Etymology

tecton(ic) + -ism

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tectonism was in 1948

Dictionary Entries Near tectonism

Cite this Entry

“Tectonism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tectonism. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

tectonism

noun
tec·​to·​nism ˈtek-tə-ˌniz-əm How to pronounce tectonism (audio)
: the process of deformation that produces the earth's continents, ocean basins, mountains, folds, and faults

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