ice sheet

noun

: ice cap sense 1

Examples of ice sheet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The science on how much of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets will melt varies. — Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 23 May 2026 Melting ice sheets and glaciers move mass from the poles toward the oceans, slowing the planet’s rotation. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 7 June 2026 Featuring thin ice sheets that slip into the vest, this option keeps you cool without sacrificing mobility or comfort. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2026 Thoreau correctly interpreted that his New England landscape had been shaped by a colossal ice sheet that had flowed southward from Canada. — Robert M. Thorson, The Conversation, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for ice sheet

Word History

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ice sheet was in 1831

Rhymes for ice sheet

See All Rhymes for ice sheet

Browse Nearby Words

ice shed
ice sheet
ice shelf
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ice sheet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ice%20sheet. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

ice sheet

noun
: ice cap

More from Merriam-Webster on ice sheet

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ice sheet

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All