ice age

noun

1
: a time of widespread glaciation
2
capitalized I&A : the Pleistocene glacial epoch

Examples of ice age in a Sentence

changes that occurred during the last ice age
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
In the past, researchers have pinned culpability on the rapidly warming climate, arguing that Pleistocene beasts were unable to adapt as the world climbed out of an ice age. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Dec. 2024 Sharks have survived meteor strikes, the formation of the continents and the ice age. Scott Travers, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024 During one of the past ice ages, these maples proliferated around Texas. Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 7 Nov. 2024 As Kolbert notes, scientists believe there have been at least 10 ice ages over the past 2.5 million years, initiated by Jupiter and Saturn’s influence on Earth. Longreads, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ice age 

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ice age was in 1855

Dictionary Entries Near ice age

Cite this Entry

“Ice age.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ice%20age. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

ice age

noun
1
: a time of widespread glaciation
2
capitalized I&A : the most recent such period in the earth's past

More from Merriam-Webster on ice age

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!