tectonic
Tectonic (adj) means relating to the large-scale structure and movement of the Earth's crust. Example: “The earthquake was caused by tectonic plate movement.”
How to use tectonic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually refers to the movement of the Earth's crust, or figuratively to a huge, sweeping change.
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The earthquake was caused by _____ plate movement.
Etymology
From Greek tektonikos ("pertaining to building"), from tekton ("builder, carpenter"). Its geological sense dates from the 1890s.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for tectonic
See all rhymes for tectonic →Frequently asked questions
What does “tectonic” mean?
The word “tectonic” means relating to the large-scale structure and movement of the Earth's crust. In plain terms, usually refers to the movement of the Earth's crust, or figuratively to a huge, sweeping change.
How do you use “tectonic” in a sentence?
Here is “tectonic” used in a sentence: “The earthquake was caused by tectonic plate movement.”
What part of speech is “tectonic”?
“Tectonic” is an adjective.
Where does the word “tectonic” come from?
The word “tectonic” dates back to around 1890 and comes from Greek. From Greek tektonikos ("pertaining to building"), from tekton ("builder, carpenter"). Its geological sense dates from the 1890s.
How many meanings does “tectonic” have?
“Tectonic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to the large-scale structure and movement of the Earth's crust.