plate tectonics

noun

plural in form but singular in construction

1

: a theory in geology: the lithosphere of the earth is divided into a small number of plates which float on and travel independently over the mantle and much of the earth's seismic activity occurs at the boundaries of these plates

2

: the process and dynamics of tectonic plate movement

also : a similar process on a body other than earth compare continental drift

plate-tectonic

ˈplāt-tek-ˈtä-nik 

adjective

Examples of plate tectonics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Russian geoscience only embraced the theory of plate tectonics in the final years before the Soviet Union collapsed. —Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

The planet has stayed in this range because its carbon dioxide is regulated through an extraordinary interplay between plate tectonics and life. —Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025

That’s a big deal because plate tectonics is our master story for how Earth recycles rock, drives volcanism and mountain-building, and modulates climate over geologic time. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025

Researchers even suggest that their findings on Mars could be a clue to what lurks beneath the surface of other rocky planets that lack plate tectonics, including Venus and Mercury. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for plate tectonics

• avionics
• electronics
• histrionics
• hydroponics
• nucleonics
• ultrasonics
• conics
• onyx
• phonics
• sonics
• tonics
• harmonics

Kids Definition

plate tectonics

noun

1

: a theory in geology: the lithosphere of the earth is divided into a small number of moving plates whose movements cause seismic activity (as earthquakes)

2

: the process of plate movement

plate-tectonic adjective