paleontology

[ pey-lee-uhn-tol-uh-jee or, especially British, pal-ee- ]

/ ˌpeɪ li ənˈtɒl ə dʒi or, especially British, ˌpæl i- /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: paleontology / paleontologist on Thesaurus.com

Definition of paleontology

noun, plural pa·le·on·tol·o·gies for 2.

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

a treatise on paleontology.

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of paleontology

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, adjectivepa·le·on·to·log·i·cal·ly, adverbpa·le·on·tol·o·gist, noun

Words nearby paleontology

paleology, paleomagnetism, paleon., paleontol., paleontologist, paleontology, paleopathology, paleopedology, Paleosiberian, paleosol, paleostriatum

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use paleontology in a sentence

They’re just really intricate features that most people outside of paleontology aren’t interested in.
Our four-legged ancestors evolved from sea to land astonishingly quickly|Sara Chodosh|August 23, 2021|Popular-Science
In 2015, our research brought me a revelation that my colleagues in marine biology and paleontology and I are still sorting out today.
Twilight of the Nautilus - Issue 104: Harmony|Peter Ward|August 11, 2021|Nautilus
Let’s take another look, as modern paleoanthropologists have, at the Taung child’s skull, one of paleontology’s most famous fossils, the remains of a child from the species, Australopithecus africanus, discovered in 1924.
What Made Early Humans Smart - Issue 102: Hidden Truths|Kevin Berger|June 30, 2021|Nautilus
Hidden in the rolling hills, hours from the nearest big city, Ashfall is one of the world’s premier paleontology sites.
Rhinos, camels and bone-crushing dogs once roamed Nebraska|Alison Pearce Stevens|May 13, 2021|Science News For Students

According to Julien Louys—associate professor of paleontology at Griffiths University in Australia and an author of the new research—the question of what caused the death of the world's megafauna dates back to the 19th century.
Did our ancestors kill all the island megafauna?|Ars Contributors|May 7, 2021|Ars Technica
And if the fossils go to a private collector, they are effectively lost to paleontology and the public for good.
Stopping the Million-Dollar Fossil Thieves: Illegal Trade Meets World of Insatiable Research|Scott Bixby|June 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He draws evidence from genetics, geography, paleontology, anatomy, and elsewhere.
What Richard Dawkins Reads: Jerry Coyne, Helena Cronin and More|Josh Dzieza|September 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST
It relies on the facts of paleontology, and fills up the gaps in this by comparative anatomy and ontogeny.
The Wonders of Life|Ernst Haeckel
The three most valuable sources of evidence in phylogeny are paleontology, comparative anatomy, and ontogeny.
The Wonders of Life|Ernst Haeckel
But Paleontology is only one branch of the subject, and many others your survey has equally fostered.
The Uses of Astronomy|Edward Everett
A contribution to the Tertiary geology and paleontology of northeastern Colorado.
Records of the Fossil Mammal Sinclairella, Family Apatemyidae, From the Chadronian and Orellan|William A. Clemens
The question had implications far beyond the bounds of paleontology, of course.
A History of Science, Volume 3(of 5)|Henry Smith Williams

Scientific definitions for paleontology

paleontology

[ pā′lē-ŏn-tŏl′ə-jē ]

The scientific study of life in the geologic past, especially through the study of animal and plant fossils.

Cultural definitions for paleontology

paleontology

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

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

paleontology

Definition of paleontology

Origin of paleontology

OTHER WORDS FROM paleontology

Words nearby paleontology

Words related to paleontology

How to use paleontology in a sentence

Scientific definitions for paleontology

Cultural definitions for paleontology