Paranthropus

American  

[puh-ran-thruh-puhs, par-uhn-throh-puhs] / pəˈræn θrə pəs, ˌpær ənˈθroʊ pəs /

noun

1. an extinct genus of bipedal hominins with massive chewing muscles, large teeth, and thick dental enamel: it may have descended from Australopithecus in Africa about 2.7 million years ago.

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Etymology

Origin of Paranthropus

First recorded in 1935–40; from New Latin: literally “beside man, near man”; equivalent to Greek para- “beside, near” + Greek ánthrōpos “human being”; see para-

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Paranthropus

The tracks, preserved near an ancient lakeshore, appear to record eight Paranthropus boisei individuals occupying the same place at roughly the same time.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 30, 2026

The researchers used analytical techniques first developed by their team in 2024 to identify the footprints as belonging to Paranthropus boisei.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 30, 2026

For decades, most known fossils of Paranthropus boisei consisted of skulls, including specimens with exceptionally large jaws and teeth.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 30, 2026

Paranthropus has long been labeled the "nutcracker" genus, a nickname inspired by its massive jaws, thick tooth enamel, and oversized molars.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 23, 2026

According to Alemseged, the lack of Paranthropus fossils in the Afar had long puzzled researchers.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 23, 2026