Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

paleontology

[pey-lee-uh n-tol-uh-jee or, esp. British, pal-ee-]
See more synonyms for paleontology 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.
Show More

Origin of paleontology

From the French word paléontologie, dating back to 1830–40. See pale(o)-, ontology
Related formspa·le·on·to·log·ic [pey-lee-on-tl-oj-ik or, esp. British, pal-ee-] /ˌpeɪ liˌɒn tlˈɒdʒ ɪk or, esp. 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. 2018

Examples from the Web for paleontology

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

Word Origin and History for paleontology

n.

1833, probably from French paléontologie, from Greek palaios "old, ancient" (see paleo-) + ontologie (see ontology). Related: Paleontological.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
paleontology in Science

paleontology

[pā′lē-ŏn-tŏl′ə-jē]
  1. The scientific study of life in the geologic past, especially through the study of animal and plant fossils.
Show More
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
paleontology in Culture

paleontology

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

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

Show More
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.