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continental drift
noun
: a slow movement of the continents on a deep-seated viscous zone within the earth compare plate tectonics
Examples of continental drift in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Author’s note: Wegener was an early proponent of continental drift—a theory initially met with resistance.
—Daniel Galef, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024
The expedition’s leader was another German scientist, Alfred Wegener, who’s best known for having come up with the theory of continental drift.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024
And there’s a game where visitors piece back together Gondwana while exploring the concepts of evolution, tectonic plates and continental drift.
—Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2024
Yes, there is fossil evidence of continental drift.
—Sofia Quaglia, Discover Magazine, 21 Dec. 2023
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Word History
First Known Use
1926, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of continental drift was
in 1926
Dictionary Entries Near continental drift
Cite this Entry
“Continental drift.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/continental%20drift. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
continental drift
noun
: the slow movement of the continents on a fluid layer that extends to deep within the earth
More from Merriam-Webster on continental drift
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about continental drift
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