ice age

[ahys eyj] / ˈaɪs ˌeɪdʒ /

NOUN

glacial period

Synonyms

WEAK

glacial epoch

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sir Keir Starmer's visit to China this week is the clearest sign yet the two countries are seeking to end the diplomatic "ice age" that has defined their relationship.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2026

In the team's computer simulations, the effect was strong enough to trigger an ice age.

From Science Daily • Dec. 21, 2025

Even so, the effect could be enough to bring forward the beginning of the next ice age.

From Science Daily • Dec. 21, 2025

"At the end of the day, does it matter much if the start of the next ice age is 50, 100, or 200 thousand years into the future?"

From Science Daily • Dec. 21, 2025

Fierce winters helped drive the Vikings from Greenland and led to bad harvests that exacerbated social tensions in continental Europe, but few would claim that the little ice age caused the Reformation.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann