Jurassic

[joo-ras-ik]

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

/ 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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Jurassic¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Jurassic¹

C19: from French jurassique, after the _Jura (Mountains)

Example Sentences

Until this weekend, the most successful Hollywood movie this year in China was “Jurassic World Rebirth,” which grossed a total of $79 million there.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

So far this year, the top-grossing American film in China was Universal’s “Jurassic World: Rebirth,” which brought in $79 million — a far cry from the massive returns some U.S. movies once commanded.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Over 29 films and nearly half a century, Williams’ collaboration with Steven Spielberg has produced the scores for “Jaws,” “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Jurassic Park” and “Schindler’s List.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Liu's work points to a later origin, about 154 million years ago in the late Jurassic Period, after Pangea had begun to break apart and as modern oceans were taking shape.

Read more on Science Daily

Khankhuuluu is regarded as the nearest known ancestor of the colossal Tyrannosaurs popularized by films like Jurassic Park.

Read more on Science Daily