Permian

American  

[pur-mee-uhn] / ˈpɜr mi ən /

adjective

1. Geology. noting or pertaining to a period of the Paleozoic Era occurring from about 280 to 230 million years ago and characterized by a profusion of amphibian species.

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noun

1. Geology. the Permian Period or System.

2. Permic.

Permian British  

/ ˈpɜːmɪən /

adjective

1. of, denoting, or formed in the last period of the Palaeozoic era, between the Carboniferous and Triassic periods, which lasted for 60 000 000 years

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noun

1. the Permian period or rock system

Permian Scientific  

/ pûr′mē-ən /

1. The seventh and last period of the Paleozoic Era, from about 286 to 245 million years ago. During the Permian Period the supercontinent Pangaea, comprising almost all of today's landmasses, formed. Gymnosperms evolved, the first modern conifers appeared, and reptiles diversified. The Permian Period ended with the largest known mass extinction in the history of life. It wiped out nearly 90 percent of known marine life forms.

2. See Chart at geologic time

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Other Word Forms

• post-Permian
  adjective
• pre-Permian
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of Permian

First recorded in 1835–45; Perm + -ian

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Permian

Big landowners in the Permian Basin are aiming to capitalize on Nimby rebellion against AI projects around the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026

While a bullish storage surprise could lend near-term support, fading heat, an expected increase in supply from the Permian basin and the storage surplus “underscore weak fundamentals in the end of summer.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

In the Permian Basin, the largest U.S. oil field, its output climbed to a record 1.8 million barrels a day.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

This summer new pipeline capacity has opened and lifted Permian gas out of the red, but it is still about 40% below the national benchmark for the heating and power-generation fuel.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

Of all the places Permian wanted to play the Carter Cowboys, the Cotton Bowl was the last.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger