Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

Pangaea

American  
[pan-jee-uh] / pænˈdʒi ə /
Or Pangea

noun

Geology.
  1. the hypothetical landmass that existed when all continents were joined, from about 300 to 200 million years ago.


Pangaea British  
/ pænˈdʒiːə /

noun

  1. the ancient supercontinent, comprising all the present continents joined together, which began to break up about 200 million years ago See also Laurasia Gondwanaland

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Pangaea Scientific  
/ păn-jēə /
  1. A supercontinent made up of all the world's present landmasses joined together in the configuration they are thought to have had during the Permian and Triassic Periods. According to the theory of plate tectonics, Pangaea later broke up into Laurasia and Gondwanaland, which eventually broke up into the continents we know today.


Pangaea Cultural  
  1. A former “supercontinent” on the Earth. In the distant past a large landmass, Pangaea, included all the present continents, which broke up and drifted apart. (See plate tectonics.)


Etymology

Origin of Pangaea

1920–25; pan- + Greek gaîa earth; allegedly coined by German meteorologist Alfred L. Wegener (1880–1930)

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.

The continents were joined together in a massive supercontinent called Pangaea.

From Science Daily • Apr. 25, 2026

Their widespread distribution likely occurred when the continents were still connected as the supercontinent Pangaea.

From Science Daily • Mar. 10, 2026

Terry Haines, founder of Pangaea Policy, said the tariff rebate checks are “very likely” next year.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 20, 2025

But Terry Haines, founder of the Pangaea Policy, which advises firms on Washington policies, said he thought the decision may not ultimately make a difference once higher courts take the case.

From BBC • May 29, 2025

Pangaea broke into pieces, sending the continents drifting like barges across the ocean floor.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "Pangaea" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com