tectonics
noun
tec·ton·ics
tek-ˈtä-niks 
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
1
: geologic structural features as a whole
2
a
: a branch of geology concerned with the structure of the crust of a planet (such as the earth) or moon and especially with the formation of folds and faults in it
b
Examples of tectonics in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The region is seismically active, the USGS said, and the initial quake appears to have been within the vicinity of a triple-junction of tectonics, between the Anatolia, Arabia and Africa plates.
—
Dennis Romero, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2023
Studying volcanoes means understanding tectonics better, and that means understanding earthquakes better, and that means saving thousands of lives and perhaps billions of dollars.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 13 Feb. 2011
Christopher Jackson studies basin analysis (in other words, how sediment and tectonics creates and fills valleys and depressions on Earth) at Imperial College.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2017
These complex tectonics of the island nation mean that much of the country is rugged and mountainous.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 25 June 2018
See All Example Sentences for tectonics
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Dennis Romero, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2023
Studying volcanoes means understanding tectonics better, and that means understanding earthquakes better, and that means saving thousands of lives and perhaps billions of dollars.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 13 Feb. 2011
Christopher Jackson studies basin analysis (in other words, how sediment and tectonics creates and fills valleys and depressions on Earth) at Imperial College.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2017
These complex tectonics of the island nation mean that much of the country is rugged and mountainous.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 25 June 2018
See All Example Sentences for tectonics
Cite this Entry
“Tectonics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tectonics. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tectonics
noun
tec·ton·ics
tek-ˈtän-iks
1
: a branch of geology concerned with the structure of the crust of a planet (as earth) or moon and especially with the formation of folds and faults in it
2
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share