Thesaurus results for EPOCH

Q: How does the noun 'epoch' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of epoch are age , era , and period . While all these words mean "a division of time," epoch applies to a period begun or set off by some significant or striking quality, change, or series of events. // the steam engine marked a new epoch in industry

Q: When is it sensible to use 'age' instead of 'epoch'?

The meanings of age and epoch largely overlap; however, age is used frequently of a fairly definite period dominated by a prominent figure or feature. // the age of Samuel Johnson

Q: When might 'era' be a better fit than 'epoch'?

Although the words era and epoch have much in common, era suggests a period of history marked by a new or distinct order of things. // the era of global communications

Q: In what contexts can 'period' take the place of 'epoch'?

While in some cases nearly identical to epoch , period may designate an extent of time of any length. // periods of economic prosperity

epoch

noun

ˈe-pək

Definition of epoch next

as in era

an extent of time associated with a particular person or thing Sir Isaac Newton is usually credited with establishing the epoch of modern science

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the noun epoch differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of epoch are age, era, and period. While all these words mean "a division of time," epoch applies to a period begun or set off by some significant or striking quality, change, or series of events.

the steam engine marked a new epoch in industry

When is it sensible to use age instead of epoch?

The meanings of age and epoch largely overlap; however, age is used frequently of a fairly definite period dominated by a prominent figure or feature.

the age of Samuel Johnson

When might era be a better fit than epoch?

Although the words era and epoch have much in common, era suggests a period of history marked by a new or distinct order of things.

the era of global communications

In what contexts can period take the place of epoch?

While in some cases nearly identical to epoch, period may designate an extent of time of any length.

periods of economic prosperity

Examples of epoch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Columbian mammoths, which are much larger than wooly mammoths, lived during the Pleistocene epoch, which began about 2.6 million years ago and ended 11,700 years ago, according to the National Park Service (NPS). —

Danielle Jennings, Peoplemag, 14 Aug. 2024 The 12th-century Stiftskirche St. Peter combines the architectural styles of various epochs, including Romanesque, Renaissance and Rococo. —

A.j. Goldmann, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2024 According to the fossil record, the Dimetrodon genus went extinct around the end of the Cisuralian epoch in the Permian. —

Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 30 July 2024 Second fire appeared in the Pleistocene epoch, competing with first fire. —

Stephen Pyne, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for epoch

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'epoch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.