1. of or relating to a geological period that lasted from approximately 299 to 252 million years ago, characterized by the formation of the supercontinent Pangaea and marked by major extinction events
Usage: geology; capitalized

1. the Permian period or system; the last period of the Paleozoic Era
Usage: geology; capitalized

Examples

• The Permian period ended with the largest mass extinction event in Earth's history.
• Permian rocks contain fossils of early reptiles and amphibians.
• During the Permian, all continents were joined together in the supercontinent Pangaea.
• The Permian extinction wiped out approximately 96% of marine species.
• Geologists study Permian deposits to understand ancient climate patterns.