: a stable relatively immobile area of the earth's crust that forms the nuclear mass of a continent or the central basin of an ocean
Examples of craton in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Michigan occupies a quiet corner of the North American craton, a geologically stable area that has remained relatively calm for millions of years.
—
Ahmad Bajjey, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
Although the dripping is concentrated over a particular area of the craton, the Farallon Plate appears to be influencing the entire craton, spanning most of the United States and Canada.
—New Atlas, 19 Apr. 2025
Typically, scientists think of cratons as unchanging, nigh on eternal.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2025
According to the researchers, while the dripping is concentrated under the Midwest, the plate is interacting with material from across the whole craton, which underlies most of the U.S. and Canada.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Asteroid nearly hits Earth in Siberia, with a 2nd massive asteroid passing this week
The meteorite strike may have even contributed to the formation of cratons, which are large, stable landmasses that became the foundation of continents, Kirkland said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2025
There’s even a chance the impact event eventually contributed to forming the giant precursors to continents known as cratons.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 6 Mar. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Ahmad Bajjey, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
Although the dripping is concentrated over a particular area of the craton, the Farallon Plate appears to be influencing the entire craton, spanning most of the United States and Canada.
—New Atlas, 19 Apr. 2025
Typically, scientists think of cratons as unchanging, nigh on eternal.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2025
According to the researchers, while the dripping is concentrated under the Midwest, the plate is interacting with material from across the whole craton, which underlies most of the U.S. and Canada.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Asteroid nearly hits Earth in Siberia, with a 2nd massive asteroid passing this week
The meteorite strike may have even contributed to the formation of cratons, which are large, stable landmasses that became the foundation of continents, Kirkland said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2025
There’s even a chance the impact event eventually contributed to forming the giant precursors to continents known as cratons.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 6 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Craton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/craton. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
