1. periods when large areas of land are covered by glaciers and ice sheets
Usage: geological term; plural form

Examples

• Multiple glaciations occurred during the Pleistocene epoch.
• The last of the major glaciations ended about 10,000 years ago.
• Evidence of past glaciations can be seen in carved valleys and moraines.
• Scientists study glaciations to understand climate change patterns.
• The Great Lakes were formed during previous glaciations.
• Glaciations have shaped much of the northern landscape we see today.