Definition of 'epoch'
Word forms: plural epochs
1. countable noun
2. countable noun [usually supplement NOUN]
An epoch is a very long period of time in the earth's development, marked by particular physical or biological characteristics.
[technical]
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
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Word Frequency
epoch in British English
noun
1.
a point in time beginning a new or distinctive period
the invention of nuclear weapons marked an epoch in the history of warfare
2.
3. astronomy
4. geology
the Pleistocene epoch
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
C17: from New Latin epocha, from Greek epokhē cessation; related to ekhein to hold, have
Word Frequency
epoch in American English
noun
1.
the beginning of a new and important period in the history of anything
the first earth satellite marked a new epoch in the study of the universe
2.
a period of time considered in terms of noteworthy and characteristic events, developments, persons, etc.
an epoch of social revolution
3.
a point in time or a precise date
5. Geology
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈperiod
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
epochal (ˈepochal)
adjective
epochally (ˈepochally)
adverb
Word origin
ML epocha < Gr epochē, a check, cessation < epechein, to hold in, check < epi-, upon + echein, to hold: see schemeWord Frequency
epoch in American English
(ˈepək, esp Brit ˈipɑk)
noun
SYNONYMS 1. age, date, era, time. See age.1.
a particular period of time marked by distinctive features, events, etc.
The treaty ushered in an epoch of peace and good will
2.
the beginning of a distinctive period in the history of anything
The splitting of the atom marked an epoch in scientific discovery
3.
His coming of age was an epoch in his life
4. Geology
any of several divisions of a geologic period during which a geologic series is formed
Compare age (sense 12) 5. Astronomy
a.
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Word origin
[1605–15; ‹ NL epocha ‹ Gk epoche᷄ pause, check, fixed time, equiv. to ep- ep- + och- (var. s. of échein to have) + -ē n. suffix]Examples of 'epoch' in a sentence
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In other languages
epoch
British English: epoch
NOUN /ˈiːpɒk/
If you refer to a long period of time as an epoch, you mean that important events or great changes took place during it.
The chapters are arranged by themes and historical epochs.
Browse alphabetically
epoch
Related terms of
epoch
Source
Definition of epoch from the Collins English Dictionary
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