uniformitarianism
noun
uni·for·mi·tar·i·an·ism
ˌyü-nə-ˌfȯr-mə-ˈter-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm 
: 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
But uniformitarianism turned out to be a rigid and incomplete doctrine, one that blinded generations of geologists to the possibility that the planet was also shaped by exceptional and dramatic events, a counter-theory known as catastrophism.
—
Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2024
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
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.
Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2024
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
Dictionary Entries Near uniformitarianism
Cite this Entry
“Uniformitarianism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uniformitarianism. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
uniformitarianism
noun
uni·for·mi·tar·i·an·ism
ˌyü-nə-ˌfȯr-mə-ˈter-ē-ə-ˌniz-əm
: a principle in geology that states that processes going on in nature at the present time can explain geological changes in the past
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share