Pleistocene

adjective

Pleis·​to·​cene ˈplī-stə-ˌsēn 

: of, relating to, or being the earlier epoch of the Quaternary or the corresponding series of rocks see Geologic Time Table

Pleistocene noun

Examples of Pleistocene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Footprint evidence for locomotor diversity and shared habitats among early Pleistocene hominins. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024

Here was an explanation: The impact caused the sudden cooling, the Firestone team argued, and contributed to the demise of the mammoths, steppe bison and other large Pleistocene mammals, along with the people who pursued them. —Zach St. George, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024

Cultural innovation, Pleistocene environments and demographic change. —Discover Magazine, 20 Nov. 2019

Most biologists think that the Pleistocene glaciation caused widespread extinctions of native earthworms in North America. —oregonlive, 26 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Greek pleistos most + International Scientific Vocabulary -cene; akin to Greek pleiōn more

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Pleistocene

adjective

Pleis·​to·​cene ˈplī-stə-ˌsēn 

: of, relating to, or being the earlier epoch of the Quaternary period of geological history or the corresponding series of rocks see geologic time

Pleistocene noun