Stratigraphy

//stɹəˈtɪɡ.ɹəfi// noun

noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The study of rock layers and the layering process (stratification). countable, uncountable

    "The study of stratigraphy was at this point in its infancy, but it was already understood that different layers of rocks had been formed during different periods."

  2. 2
    the branch of geology that studies the arrangement and succession of strata wordnet
  3. 3
    The layering of deposits, with newer remains overlaying older ones, forming a chronology of the site. countable, uncountable

Synonyms

All synonyms
geodeticsgeographygeologygeophysicsmineralogyphysiography

Example

More examples

"The study of stratigraphy was at this point in its infancy, but it was already understood that different layers of rocks had been formed during different periods."

Etymology

From stratum + -graphy c. 1841–1865.

Related phrases

seismic stratigraphy

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.