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

Brian Hebert, an avocational paleontologist from Nova Scotia, located the small skull inside a fossilized tree stump during a field season led by Hillary Maddin, a professor of paleontology at Carleton University.

From Science Daily • Feb. 11, 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

They joined seismologist Lucy Jones, paleontologist Emily Lindsey, hypnotherapist Kerry Gaynor and other specialists on Mulaney’s guest couches, creating some unexpected pairings and unpredictable conversations.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2025

Meanwhile Ranzi went on to become a well-respected paleontologist, most recently at the Federal University of Acre, in Rio Branco.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann