Holocene
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
noun
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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.
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Also called Recent
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See Chart at geologic time
Etymology
Origin of Holocene
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In the following years, that surprise broadened into a question: “What are so many dogs doing in the visual arts from the Holocene 12,000 years ago to the present?”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
The melting occurred during the Holocene, the relatively stable climate period that began 11,000 years ago and continues today.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 18, 2026
Kikai last erupted 7,300 years ago in the most powerful eruption of the current geological epoch, the Holocene.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 29, 2026
"This discovery shows that the scale of impacts of small extraterrestrial objects on the Earth in the Holocene is far greater than previously recorded," said author Ming Chen.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 14, 2025
"Based on the findings from our study, we are not overly optimistic that Florida's subtropical reefs will be able to support range expansions of reef-building coral species reminiscent of the Late Holocene any time soon."
From Science Daily ● Mar. 28, 2024
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
