Anthropocene

[ an-thruh-puh-seen, an-throp-uh‐ ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

noting or pertaining to a proposed epoch of the Quarternary Period, occurring in the present time, since mid-20th century, when human activity began to effect significant environmental consequences, specifically on ecosystems and climate.

noun

the Anthropocene Epoch.

Anthropocene

/ æ��ˈθ��ɒ��əˌ��ː�� /

noun

the Anthropocene
a proposed term for the present geological epoch (from the time of the Industrial Revolution onwards), during which humanity has begun to have a significant impact on the environment

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Anthropocene¹

First recorded in 1995–2000; anthropo- ( def ) + -cene ( def ); coined in the early 1980s by Eugene F. Stoermer, U.S. biologist (1934–2012), and brought into general use by Paul J. Crutzen ( def ), who coined the word independently. Stoermer and Crutzen collaborated in an article published in 2000 proposing Anthropocene for the current geological epoch

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Anthropocene¹

C21: from anthropo- and -cene , coined by Paul Crutzen (born 1933), Nobel-winning Dutch chemist

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Compare Meanings

How does Anthropocene compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

Holocene vs. Anthropocene

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The winners of the 2024 Sony World Photography Awards have been announced, with Zed Nelson named as Photographer of the Year for The Anthropocene Illusion, a project exploring the fractured relationship between humans and the natural world.

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Nelson's project takes its name from the term Anthropocene - the current geological epoch where human activity has become the dominant force shaping the Earth's environment.

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The Anthropocene Illusion goes beyond a documentary, offering a thought-provoking exploration of modern human life in an era shaped by human impact.

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The book might seem, at first blush, like a departure for Green, who’s best known for his bestselling young adult novels, such as The Fault in Our Stars and Looking for Alaska along with his cleverly packaged memoir The Anthropocene Reviewed.

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And it will do so after the Anthropocene extinction, which is being caused by human activities.

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