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

• post-Permian adjective
• pre-Permian adjective

Etymology

Origin of Permian

First recorded in 1835–45; Perm + -ian

Example Sentences

In the Permian basin of New Mexico and west Texas, for example, producers can more quickly and economically ramp up extraction of light crude oil trapped in shale rock.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2026

Permian has now exceeded Benchmark’s price target of $14, Chandra said, noting that the stock—up 36% in 2026—has outpaced the State Street Energy Select Sector exchange-traded fund, which has climbed 27% this year.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

But if prices stay at or above $70 a barrel for more than a month or two, that can translate into more production, said Ben Shepperd, president of the trade group Permian Basin Petroleum Association.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

Long one of the largest landowners in Texas, the company has set its sights on putting data centers in the state’s petroleum-rich Permian Basin.

From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026

They were the kinds of values that the Permian fans harbored about themselves.

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