paleontology
Americannoun
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paleontologies
plural
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the science of the forms of life existing in former geologic periods, as represented by their fossils.
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a treatise on paleontology.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of paleontology
From the French word paléontologie, dating back to 1830–40; see origin at paleo-, ontology
Explanation
That five-year-old dinosaur expert who can tell a trilobite from a pterodactyl and tell you which thrived during the Jurassic period? She’s a budding paleontology expert. Scientific language aims at clarity, and scientists generally speak to each other in Greek and Latin. The commonly used suffix -ology comes from Greek, and it means "the study of." The prefix paleo means "old." So, paleontology is the study of that which is old — really, really old. The word paleontology entered the English language in the 19th century, just as scientists were making a systematic effort to analyze fossil records.
Vocabulary lists containing paleontology
Tyrannosaurus Lex(icon)
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Earth Science - Middle School
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Earth Science: Geology
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Schwimmer said paleontology and other natural, Earth and space sciences can give students at regional universities opportunities to conduct meaningful "backyard research."
From Science Daily ● Aug. 5, 2026
Afterwards, I decided I really want to learn about the geology of L.A., and I found an interest in paleontology, too.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2026
Schwimmer emphasized that fields like paleontology and other Earth sciences offer valuable opportunities for students to participate in hands-on research close to home.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 15, 2026
In the subreddit, the latest advancements in paleontology appear alongside divided reactions to dinosaur media, like Netflix’s recent Morgan Freeman-narrated docuseries, “The Dinosaurs.”
From Salon ● Apr. 12, 2026
In 1795 a selection of bones made their way to Paris, where they were examined by the rising star of paleontology, the youthful and aristocratic Georges Cuvier.
From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
