palaeontology
Britishnoun
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the study of fossils to determine the structure and evolution of extinct animals and plants and the age and conditions of deposition of the rock strata in which they are found See also palaeobotany palaeozoology
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another name for palaeozoology
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of palaeontology
C19: from palaeo- + onto- + -logy
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.
"There are countless other specimens that will be scientifically more important in the grand scheme of palaeontology," says Dr Smithwick.
From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026
The cradle of palaeontology -- the study of fossil remains of animals and plants -- lies in the Maastricht limestones, where the first Mosasaurus was discovered in 1766.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 9, 2023
The scientists also posted a video online showing a computer-simulated reconstruction of Jakapil kaniukura as presented by Chilean palaeoartist and palaeontology student at the Río Negro National University Gabriel Díaz Yantén.
From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2022
Fresh evidence from anatomy and palaeontology had made humans’ place on the scala naturae scientifically irrefutable.
From Nature ● Oct. 7, 2019
At the outset it is to be noted that for various reasons palaeontology is unable to execute this momentous task in its full extent.
From At the Deathbed of Darwinism A Series of Papers by O'Harra, Edwin V.
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.
