subduction

noun

sub·duc·tion | \ (ˌ)səb-ˈdək-shən

How to pronounce subduction (audio)

\

Definition of subduction

: the action or process in plate tectonics of the edge of one crustal plate descending below the edge of another

Other Words from subduction Example Sentences Learn More about subduction

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of subduction in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Meanwhile, cooling slabs of crust sink in subduction zones to the bottom of the mantle. — Jenny Wu, Science | AAAS, "What might Earth’s next supercontinent look like? New study provides clues," 21 Jan. 2021 Extensive parts of the city sit in the tsunami inundation zone in the case of a major Cascadia subduction zone earthquake. — oregonlive, "‘Panic’ in Depoe Bay after tsunami sirens activated to warn of high winds," 3 Jan. 2021 Or maybe the subduction zones, typically as long as the midocean ridges, shrunk in length, reducing their pull. — Paul Voosen, Science | AAAS, "Slowdown in plate tectonics may have led to Earth’s ice sheets," 22 Dec. 2020 And to bring the two ideas together, the entire Himalayan range was formed by the subduction—the pushing under—of a previously major and separate tectonic plate. — Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, "Why Mt. Everest and the Alps Are Weirdly Getting Taller," 9 Dec. 2020 The plate under the water, made of dense oceanic crust, plunged beneath the southern edge of the more buoyant rocks that make up the Eurasian continental plate, creating a feature known as a subduction zone. — Science, "Why Mount Everest keeps changing its height," 8 Dec. 2020 This area is the location of most of Earth's subduction zones, where oceanic plates slide under the lighter continental plates. — Fox News, "Earthquake swarm in California as 4 tremors shake Milpitas for second time in 3 days," 30 Sep. 2020 This finding can be explained only if there were two subduction zones pulling India rapidly toward Eurasia, rather than just one. — Craig Robert Martin, The Conversation, "Magnetism of Himalayan rocks reveals the mountains’ complex tectonic history," 2 Nov. 2020 This area is the location of most of Earth's subduction zones, where oceanic plates slide under the lighter continental plates. — Fox News, "Earthquake swarm in California as 4 tremors shake Milpitas for second time in 3 days," 30 Sep. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'subduction.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about subduction

Dictionary Entries near subduction

Statistics for subduction

Last Updated

31 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Subduction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subduction. Accessed 27 Feb. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster

Comments on subduction

What made you want to look up subduction? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

WORD OF THE DAY

turbid

Listen to the pronunciation of turbid

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

February 2021 Words of the Day Quiz

Which is a synonym of perdure?

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ