paleontology

American  

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

noun

plural

paleontologies

1. the science of the forms of life existing in former geologic periods, as represented by their fossils.

2. a treatise on paleontology.

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paleontology Scientific  

/ 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.

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paleontology Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

• paleontologic adjective
• paleontological adjective
• paleontologically adverb
• paleontologist noun

Etymology

Origin of paleontology

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

Example Sentences

To understand how this played out, the research team assembled an extensive fossil database spanning two centuries of late Ordovician and early Silurian paleontology.

From Science Daily

Since then, the site has produced fossils of turtles, lizards, and mammals, along with many snake remains, including some that have played an important role in paleontology.

From Science Daily

How quickly marine ecosystems recovered after this disaster has been one of the most hotly debated questions in paleontology.

From Science Daily

"It gives us a new way to date fossil sites where volcanic layers are missing, a challenge that has limited paleontology for decades."

From Science Daily

A remarkably complete tyrannosaur skeleton has brought new clarity to one of paleontology's longest debates: whether Nanotyrannus was its own species or merely a young Tyrannosaurus rex.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• excavation