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-

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Paranthropus

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

That includes the way scientists categorize species within Homo as well as Australopithecus and Paranthropus, all of which lived during the past 5 million years.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 20, 2026

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

From Science Daily ● Jan. 23, 2026

The evidence shows that Paranthropus was not only widespread but also capable of thriving alongside early members of Homo, rather than being quickly displaced by them.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 23, 2026

"Neither was the case: Paranthropus was as widespread and versatile as Homo and the new find shows that its absence in the Afar was an artifact of the fossil record."

From Science Daily ● Jan. 23, 2026

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