Permian

American  

[pur-mee-uhn] / ˈpɜr mi ən /

adjective

1. Geology. noting or pertaining to a period of the Paleozoic Era occurring from about 280 to 230 million years ago and characterized by a profusion of amphibian species.

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noun

1. Geology. the Permian Period or System.

2. Permic.

Permian British  

/ ˈpɜːmɪən /

adjective

1. of, denoting, or formed in the last period of the Palaeozoic era, between the Carboniferous and Triassic periods, which lasted for 60 000 000 years

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noun

1. the Permian period or rock system

Permian Scientific  

/ pûr′mē-ən /

1. The seventh and last period of the Paleozoic Era, from about 286 to 245 million years ago. During the Permian Period the supercontinent Pangaea, comprising almost all of today's landmasses, formed. Gymnosperms evolved, the first modern conifers appeared, and reptiles diversified. The Permian Period ended with the largest known mass extinction in the history of life. It wiped out nearly 90 percent of known marine life forms.

2. See Chart at geologic time

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• post-Permian
  adjective
• pre-Permian
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of Permian

First recorded in 1835–45; Perm + -ian

Example Sentences

Permian production bypasses Cushing on its way to Gulf refineries and to export from the newly expanded Port of Corpus Christi through pipelines, which have also been expanded.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 6, 2026

That is much better than the single-digit returns traditionally seen in solar and wind, and in line with some Permian shale projects.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026

The Permian has seen dozens of bankruptcies before.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

The discovery of Tanyka helps scientists better understand life during the early Permian Period.

From Science Daily • May 1, 2026

It turned out to be their most effective offensive weapon: Permian was called for roughing the kicker and Odessa High got a first down.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger