paleontology

[ pey-lee-uhn-tol-uh-jee or, especially British, pal-ee- ]
See synonyms for: paleontologypaleontologist on Thesaurus.com

noun,plural pa·le·on·tol·o·gies for 2.
  1. the science of the forms of life existing in former geologic periods, as represented by their fossils.

  2. a treatise on paleontology.

Origin of paleontology

1
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, adjective
  • pa·le·on·to·log·i·cal·ly, adverb
  • pa·le·on·tol·o·gist, noun

Words Nearby paleontology

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use paleontology in a sentence

Scientific definitions for paleontology

paleontology

[ pā′lē-ŏn-tŏlə-jē ]


  1. 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.