epoch-making

adjective

Constituting an epoch; opening a new era; introducing new conceptions or a new method in the treatment of a subject; highly novel and influential.

Meanings

adjectiveepoch-making (not comparable)

alternative epochmaking

  1. not comparableConstituting an epoch; opening a new era; introducing new conceptions or a new method in the treatment of a subject; highly novel and influential.

    The play itself was "sound," though not epoch-making. The performance of the leading lady was satisfactory and exactly what was to be expected from her.

    1923, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], “(please specify the page)”, in The Eyes of Max Carrados, London: Grant Richards, →OCLC
    2 more examples

    Equally to be expected, in view of the trend of Government legislation and pronouncements over the past few years—but no less epoch-making for that—is the proposal that the railways and canals shall cease to be common carriers and be entirely free to fix their own passenger and freight charges, […].

    1961 December, “Editorial: Führerprinzip for nationalised transport”, in Trains Illustrated, page 705

    The prime minister, Tony Blair, described the terrorist attacks on America as having "epoch-making proportions" as parliament was recalled for an emergency session today.

    2001 September 14, Matthew Tempest, quoting Tony Blair, “Blair: attacks are of 'epoch-making proportions'”, in The Guardian

    Synonyms: earthshaking, earthshattering

Synonyms & antonyms

adjectiveConstituting an epoch; opening a new era; introducing new conceptions or a new method in the treatment of a subject; highly novel and influential.

More synonyms by meaning

adjectivehighly significant or important especially bringing about or marking the beginning of a new development or era

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Germanepochemachend
  2. Englishepoch-making

Calque of German epochemachend.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

German epochemachend
  • epochemachendconstituting an epoch
Japanese 画期的
  • 画期的 (kakkiteki)constituting an epoch
Cite this entry
APA

epoch-making. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/epoch-making

MLA

“epoch-making.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/epoch-making. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “epoch-making,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/epoch-making.

Source: epoch-making on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.