Pliocene

adjective

Pli·o·cene ˈplī-ə-ˌsēn

: of, relating to, or being the latest epoch of the Tertiary or the corresponding series of rocks see Geologic Time Table

Pliocene noun

Word History

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of Pliocene was in 1831

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

Pliny

Pliocene

Pliofilm

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Pliocene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Pliocene. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

Pliocene

adjective

Plio·cene

ˈplī-ə-ˌsēn

: of, relating to, or being the latest epoch of the Tertiary period of geological history or the corresponding series of rocks see geologic time

Pliocene noun

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

fidelity

Listen to the pronunciation of fidelity

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Popular in Wordplay

Skibidi, Mog & More: Gen Alpha Slang

13 Wonderful Words That You're Not Using (Yet)

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

Birds Say the Darndest Things

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Skibidi, Mog & More: Gen Alpha Slang

13 Wonderful Words That You're Not Using (Yet)