plate tectonics

plate tec·ton·ics

P p

Definitions of plate tectonics words

noun plate tectonics a theory of global tectonics in which the lithosphere is divided into a number of crustal plates, each of which moves on the plastic asthenosphere more or less independently to collide with, slide under, or move past adjacent plates. 1
noun plate tectonics geology: movement of earth's crust 1
uncountable noun plate tectonics Plate tectonics is the way that large pieces of the Earth's surface move slowly around. 0
noun plate tectonics the study of the structure of the earth's crust and mantle with reference to the theory that the earth's lithosphere is divided into large rigid blocks (plates) that are floating on semifluid rock and are thus able to interact with each other at their boundaries, and to the associated theories of continental drift and seafloor spreading 0
noun plate tectonics the theory that the earth's surface consists of plates, or large crustal slabs, whose constant motion explains continental drift, mountain building, etc. 0

before 1965

One of the 2% newest English words

First recorded in 1965-70

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

This term is known only to a narrow circle of people with rare knowledge. Only 5% of English native speakers know the meaning of this word.

According to our data most of word are more popular. This word is almost not used. It has a much more popular synonym.

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Was this page helpful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback! Tell your friends about this page

Tell us why?