uniformitarianism

noun

uni·​for·​mi·​tar·​i·​an·​ism ˌyü-nə-ˌfȯr-mə-ˈter-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce uniformitarianism (audio)
: a geologic doctrine that processes acting in the same manner as at present and over long spans of time are sufficient to account for all current geological features and all past geological changes compare catastrophism

Examples of uniformitarianism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web One of these was the shift away from uniformitarianism: the idea that the same forces that exist today existed in the past, and therefore that the current conditions on Earth sufficed to explain every geological phenomenon. Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2024 This is reassuring, because too often historical scientists fixate on uniformitarianism to an almost irrational extent. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 23 June 2013 Each of these works critiqued uniformitarianism’s assumption of slow, gradual, evolutionary change, contrasted with neo-catastrophism, wars and revolutions being the social equivalents. Thomas Reifer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Nov. 2022 Ever since geology came into its own as a science in the 19th century, much of the field has been influenced by the concept of uniformitarianism—that the present is the key to the past. Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Apr. 2022 Substantive uniformitarianism, and incorrect theory, should be abandoned. Brian Romans, WIRED, 8 Jan. 2011

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'uniformitarianism.' 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

1865, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of uniformitarianism was in 1865

Dictionary Entries Near uniformitarianism

Cite this Entry

“Uniformitarianism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uniformitarianism. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

uniformitarianism

noun
uni·​for·​mi·​tar·​i·​an·​ism ˌyü-nə-ˌfȯr-mə-ˈter-ē-ə-ˌniz-əm How to pronounce uniformitarianism (audio)
: a principle in geology that states that processes going on in nature at the present time can explain geological changes in the past

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