Pleistocene

adjective

Pleis·​to·​cene ˈplī-stə-ˌsēn 

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

Pleistocene noun

Examples of Pleistocene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Lost and found at the museum Paleontologist Otto Geist gathered a truly staggering number of Pleistocene bones from sites all over Alaska, and 1951 was an especially busy year for him. — ArsTechnica, 17 Feb. 2026

Most biologists think that the Pleistocene glaciation caused widespread extinctions of native earthworms in North America. — oregonlive, 26 Aug. 2023

Cultural innovation, Pleistocene environments and demographic change. — Discover Magazine, 20 Nov. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Greek pleistos most + International Scientific Vocabulary -cene; akin to Greek pleiōn more

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Pleistocene

• acridine
• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• aniline
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene

Kids Definition

Pleistocene

adjective

Pleis·​to·​cene ˈplī-stə-ˌsēn 

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

Pleistocene noun