Holocene

American  

[hol-uh-seen, hoh-luh-] / ˈhɒl əˌsin, ˈhoʊ lə- /

adjective

1. recent.

---

noun

1. recent.

Holocene British  

/ ˈhɒləˌsiːn /

adjective

1. of, denoting, or formed in the second and most recent epoch of the Quaternary period, which began 10 000 years ago at the end of the Pleistocene

---

noun

1. the Holocene epoch or rock series

Holocene Scientific  

/ hŏl′ə-sēn′,hō′lə-sēn′ /

1. The more recent of the two epochs of the Quaternary Period, beginning at the end of the last major Ice Age, about 10,000 years ago. It is characterized by the development of human civilizations.

2. Also called Recent

3. See Chart at geologic time

---

Etymology

Origin of Holocene

First recorded in 1895–1900; holo- + -cene

Compare meaning

How does holocene compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Holocene vs. Anthropocene

Example Sentences

By analyzing ancient sediment layers from lakes on K'gari, located off Queensland's south eastern coast, scientists uncovered signs of a major drying period about 7,500 years ago during the middle Holocene.

From Science Daily • Mar. 2, 2026

The second was the Early Holocene, 12,000-8,000 years ago, just after the last Ice Age, when Mesolithic hunter-gatherers from our own species, Homo sapiens, inhabited the region.

From Science Daily • Feb. 12, 2026

With a width of 900 meters, it is the largest verified crater from this period -- surpassing Russia's Macha crater, which measures 300 meters and was previously considered the biggest Holocene impact site.

From Science Daily • Nov. 14, 2025

In the recent study, published in The Holocene, Carney looked at camas bulbs from the Willamette Valley in Oregon dating back 8,000 years to determine when in their life cycle they were harvested.

From Science Daily • May 21, 2024

In the meantime, we remain in the Holocene epoch, which started at the end of the last ice age, some 11,700 years ago.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2024