paleontologist

American  

[pey-lee-uhn-tol-uh-jist, pal-ee-] / ˌpeɪ li ənˈtɒl ə dʒɪst, ˌpæl i- /

noun

1. a scientist who specializes in the study of life forms that existed in previous geologic periods, as represented by their fossils.

   The education program manager for the museum has worked as a paleontologist, digging up dinosaur bones in Wyoming.

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Etymology

Origin of paleontologist

paleontolog(y) ( def. ) + -ist ( def. )

Example Sentences

The newly identified species has been named Haolong dongi, honoring Dong Zhiming, a pioneering Chinese paleontologist who made major contributions to dinosaur research in China.

From Science Daily • Feb. 18, 2026

If you’re a paleontologist, you probably know this.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

"I never would have imagined I'd come across such a spectacular discovery in the region where I live," said Milan-based paleontologist Cristiano Dal Sasso.

From BBC • Dec. 16, 2025

Bailey’s character, the bespectacled paleontologist named Henry, evokes Harrison Ford’s “Indiana Jones”-era heartthrob, with director Gareth Edwards making sure to capture his wire-rimmed glasses beaming in the natural light.

From Salon • Jul. 3, 2025

Leakey was an anthropologist and paleontologist who was interested in animals and Early Man.

From "My Life with the Chimpanzees" by Jane Goodall