Advertisement - Continue reading below

Definition of "uniformitarianism" []

  • The theory that all geologic phenomena may be explained as the result of existing forces having operated uniformly from the origin of the earth to the present time. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "uniformitarianism" in a sentence
  • "The term uniformitarianism was first used in 1832 by William Whewell, a University of Cambridge scholar, to present an alternative explanation for the origin of the Earth."
  • "We are told, to begin with, that Sir Charles Lyell's doctrine respecting the proper mode of interpreting the facts of geology (which is commonly called uniformitarianism) "does not hold its head quite so high as it once did.""
  • "Formed the idea of uniformitarianism stating current geologic processes, such as volcanism and erosion, have been at work throughout Earth's history."