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

: tectonism

Word History

Etymology

tecton(ic) + -ics, probably after German Tektonik

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tectonics

• plate tectonics

Rhymes for tectonics

• harmonics
• ionics
• mnemonics
• photonics
• avionics
• electronics
• histrionics
• hydroponics
• nucleonics
• ultrasonics
• conics
• onyx

Kids 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

: tectonism