# stratigraphic

/ˌstɹætəˈɡɹæfɪk/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stratigraphic
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

relating to the study of layers of rock or soil in the ground. Scientists use this to understand how the Earth changed over time.

For teachers: relating to the study of rock layers and the sequence in which they were deposited. Often used to describe the vertical arrangement of geological strata.

## Examples

- The geologists studied the stratigraphic layers of the cliff.
- By examining the stratigraphic evidence, the team was able to determine that the flood occurred thousands of years ago.
- The stratigraphic record provides a chronological framework for understanding the evolution of life, as each layer represents a distinct period of deposition and environmental change.

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