Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

volcanism

American  
[vol-kuh-niz-uhm] / ˈvɒl kəˌnɪz əm /

noun

Geology.
  1. the phenomena connected with volcanoes and volcanic activity.


volcanism British  
/ ˈvɒlkəˌnɪzəm /

noun

  1. those processes collectively that result in the formation of volcanoes and their products

"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

Etymology

Origin of volcanism

First recorded in 1865–70; volcan(o) + -ism


Vocabulary lists containing volcanism

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.

See Examples For:

The team carefully evaluated the chemical reactions that could produce hydrogen chloride in the Martian atmosphere, including processes unrelated to volcanism.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 8, 2026

However, scientists have never directly observed a new volcanic eruption or fresh lava flow on the planet, leaving the question of present-day volcanism unresolved.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 8, 2026

“The intriguing feature could improve our understanding of volcanism not only on Io but on other worlds as well.”

From Salon ● Feb. 3, 2025

But if many erupted, he says, a feedback loop could take hold, with ice loss leading to more volcanism, and more eruptions to more ice loss and consequent sea-level rise.

From Science Magazine ● Dec. 2, 2024

As we found volcanism to be a macrotelluric manifestation of functional sulphur, we find in the process of snow-formation a corresponding manifestation of functional phosphorus.

From Man or Matter by Ernst Lehrs

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

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

Take me to Vocabulary.com