Tyrannosaurus rex

American  

[ti-ran-uh-sawr-uhs reks, tahy‐] / tɪˌræn əˈsɔr əs ˈreks, taɪ‐ /

Also T. rex

noun

1. tyrannosaur.

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Tyrannosaurus rex Cultural  

1. A large, carnivorous (see carnivore) dinosaur that walked on two legs. Its name is from the Greek words meaning “tyrant” and “lizard” and the Latin word for “king.”

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Usage

What is a Tyrannosaurus rex? Tyrannosaurus rex was a giant, meat-eating dinosaur that walked on two legs and had a long tail and a big head with sharp teeth (and, yes, two little arms). The name Tyrannosaurus rex comes from the Greek words tyranno (“tyrant”) and saurus (“lizard”) and the Latin word rex (“king”). So, Tyrannosaurus rex means something like “king of the tyrant lizards.” It is commonly called T. rex for short. The name is fitting: Tyrannosaurus rex is one of the largest land predators that has ever lived. It was the largest of the tyrannosaurs, reaching a length of 47 feet (14. 3 m) or more. People often list the T. rex as their favorite dinosaur, and its popularity has grown through many pop culture depictions, such as its appearances in the Jurassic Park series of movies and books. However, to be scientifically precise about it, the T. rex lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 90–65 million years ago, around the end of the age of dinosaurs.

Etymology

Origin of Tyrannosaurus rex

First recorded in 1905–10; New Latin Tyrannosaurus, the genus name; see tyrannosaur ( def. ) + Latin rex “king”; see rex ( def. )

Example Sentences

More than a century after Tyrannosaurus rex was first discovered, the species continues to surprise scientists.

From Science Daily • Mar. 5, 2026

Scientists believe it rivalled the fearsome Tyrannosaurus rex in size, measuring around 40 feet long with a 20-inch sword-like crest on its head.

From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026

It was found alongside a tooth from a Tyrannosaurus rex and a jawbone from a crocodylian, in a region already known for fossils of the duck-billed dinosaur Edmontosaurus.

From Science Daily • Dec. 15, 2025

It's nearly 10:00 pm on Friday night, and a group of children shine their flashlights on the imposing skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex.

From Barron's • Oct. 25, 2025

Then a Tyrannosaurus rex roared and stomped through the leafy jungle, causing a leaping herd of Velociraptors to screech and flee.

From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein