Jurassic

American  

[joo-ras-ik] / dʒʊˈræs ɪk /

adjective

1. noting or pertaining to a period of the Mesozoic Epoch, occurring from 190 to 140 million years ago and characterized by an abundance of dinosaurs and the advent of birds and mammals.

---

noun

1. the Jurassic Period or System.

Jurassic British  

/ dʒʊˈræsɪk /

adjective

1. of, denoting, or formed in the second period of the Mesozoic era, between the Triassic and Cretaceous periods, lasting for 55 million years during which dinosaurs and ammonites flourished

---

noun

1. the Jurassic period or rock system

Jurassic Scientific  

/ j-răs′ĭk /

1. The second and middle period of the Mesozoic Era, from about 208 to 144 million years ago. During this time the supercontinent Pangaea continued to split up and numerous shallow seas inundated the new continents. Dinosaurs were the dominant form of terrestrial animal life, and the earliest birds appeared. Marine life was dominated by ammonites and belemnites, and sponges, corals, bryozoa, and gastropods all flourished. Gymnosperms and cycads were the dominant land plants.

2. See Chart at geologic time

---

Other Word Forms

• post-Jurassic adjective

Etymology

Origin of Jurassic

First recorded in 1825–35; Jur(a) + -assic, suffix extracted from Triassic; compare French jurassique

Example Sentences

Expected to open in 2031, it will be one of the biggest in the world, with rides that could be inspired by movies from James Bond to Jurassic World.

From BBC

More familiar as a wisecracking action hero in blockbusters like Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World, this role is quite a departure for him.

From BBC

Everyone my age remembers “Jurassic Park,” “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and the early seasons of “The Simpsons.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Her mineralized vertebra of a juvenile Jurassic ichthyosaur exudes: “Now I am a treasure for you to love—a part of me to call your own.”

From The Wall Street Journal

After starting her career as Steven Spielberg’s secretary, Kennedy became one of Hollywood’s most accomplished producers, with credits including “Back to the Future,” “Jurassic Park” and “The Sixth Sense.”

From The Wall Street Journal