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.
Kikai last experienced a giant eruption approximately 7,300 years ago, producing the largest known volcanic eruption of the Holocene, the geological epoch that began roughly 11,700 years ago and continues today.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 23, 2026
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
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
This timing in the Late Holocene period lines up with broader climatic shifts in the region, the researchers noted, coming around the same time as low-magnitude fires became more commonplace in the landscape.
From Science Daily ● May 21, 2024
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
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