paleontology

[ pey-lee-uhn-tol-uh-jee or, especially British, pal-ee- ]
/ ˌpeɪ li ənˈtɒl ə dʒi or, especially British, ˌpæl i- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR paleontology ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural pa·le·on·tol·o·gies for 2.

the science of the forms of life existing in former geologic periods, as represented by their fossils.
a treatise on paleontology.

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Origin of paleontology

From the French word paléontologie, dating back to 1830–40; see origin at paleo-, ontology

OTHER WORDS FROM paleontology

pa·le·on·to·log·ic [pey-lee-on-tl-oj-ik or, especially British, pal-ee-], /ˌpeɪ liˌɒn tlˈɒdʒ ɪk or, especially British, ˌpæl i-/, pa·le·on·to·log·i·cal, adjectivepa·le·on·to·log·i·cal·ly, adverbpa·le·on·tol·o·gist, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to paleontology

excavation, paleology, prehistory, antiquarianism

Example sentences from the Web for paleontology

Scientific definitions for paleontology

paleontology
[ pā′lē-ŏn-tŏl′ə-jē ]

The scientific study of life in the geologic past, especially through the study of animal and plant fossils.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for paleontology

paleontology
[ (pay-lee-uhn-tol-uh-jee) ]

The study of ancient life forms, particularly as they are seen in fossils.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.