Holocene

American  

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

adjective

1. recent.

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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

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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

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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

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

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

Using this data, the team reconstructed ocean changes stretching back almost 12,000 years to the start of the Holocene epoch, which began after the last major ice age.

From Science Daily • Oct. 23, 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 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