Pliocene

[ plahy-uh-seen ]

adjective

1. noting or pertaining to an epoch of the Tertiary Period, occurring from 10 to 2 million years ago, and characterized by increased size and numbers of mammals, by the growth of mountains, and by global climatic cooling.

noun

1. the Pliocene Epoch or Series.

Pliocene

/ ˈplaɪəʊˌsiːn /

adjective

1. of, denoting, or formed in the last epoch of the Tertiary period, which lasted for three million years, during which many modern mammals appeared

noun

1. the Pliocene
   the Pliocene epoch or rock series

Pliocene

/ plī′ə-sēn′ /

1. The fifth and last epoch of the Tertiary Period, from about 5 to 2 million years ago. During this time the global climate became cooler and the number and expanse of grasslands and savannas increased greatly. This change in vegetation was accompanied by an increase in long-legged grazers. The land bridge between North America and South America also formed at this time, and massive ice sheets accumulated at the poles. In the later part of the epoch many of the species living in polar regions became extinct.
2. See Chart at geologic time

Other Words From

• post-Plio·cene adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pliocene¹

First recorded in 1825–35; plio- + -cene

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pliocene¹

C19: plio- + -cene, from Greek kainos recent

Example Sentences

With carbon dioxide levels at 417 parts per million and rising—their highest since the Pliocene period 3 million years ago—it wasn’t enough to simply not pollute the air.

From MIT Technology Review

He may not be from the Pliocene Era, but his views sure are.

From The Daily Beast

It may have been as far back as the early Pliocene or the late Miocene Period, or even earlier.

From Project Gutenberg

Pliocene deposits have been found in the Riviera at an altitude of 1,800 feet.

From Project Gutenberg

The climatic conditions of Pliocene times show steady fall of temperature.

From Project Gutenberg

The term 'Crag' has been applied to shelly sands of which the British Pliocene beds are largely composed.

From Project Gutenberg

Ameghino refers it to the Pliocene period, excepting the lower divisions which he regards as upper Miocene.

From Project Gutenberg