triceratops

American  

[trahy-ser-uh-tops] / traɪˈsɛr əˌtɒps /

noun

1. any of various dinosaurs of the genus Triceratops, of the late Cretaceous Period, having a bony crest on the neck, a long horn over each eye, and a shorter horn on the nose.

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triceratops British  

/ traɪˈsɛrəˌtɒps /

noun

1. any rhinoceros-like herbivorous dinosaur of the ornithischian genus Triceratops, of Cretaceous times, having a heavily armoured neck and three horns on the skull

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triceratops Scientific  

/ trī-sĕr′ə-tŏps′ /

1. A large herbivorous dinosaur of the genus Triceratops of the late Cretaceous Period, measuring up to 7.6 m (25 ft) in length. Triceratops had a squat, tanklike body, a beaklike mouth with a short horn over it, and a long horn over each eye. The back of its neck was covered with a wide, bony plate.

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Etymology

Origin of triceratops

First recorded in 1890–95; from New Latin, from Greek trikérat(os) “three-horned” + ṓps “face, eye”; see origin at tri-, cerat-, eye

Explanation

The triceratops was a three-horned dinosaur that lived on the Earth about 68 million years ago. If you're a budding paleontologist, you might want to visit the Museum of Natural History in New York City to see a fossilized triceratops skeleton. The triceratops is one of the most easily recognized dinosaurs—it looked a little bit like a rhinoceros. Archaeologists have found many triceratops bones over the years, starting as early as 1889, including complete skeletons, which is why we know a lot about how this dinosaur lived. Triceratops was an herbivore that was probably preyed on by tyrannosaurus. Its three horns may have been used for self-defense, or for courtship and displaying dominance among other triceratops.

Example Sentences

Heck, even umpires can’t help but smile when met with the triceratops.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

“I would venture to say I’m still obsessed,” he says, making his way toward a massive triceratops skull nearby.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2024

“Another hadrosaur toe, another triceratops vertebra. Other than statistical appearance in the formation, there’s zero scientific value.”

From New York Times • Jul. 17, 2023

Interspersed amid this whimsical woodland are several large-scale dinosaur statues, including a Tyrannosaurus rex and a triceratops.

From Washington Post • Jul. 28, 2022

Two triceratops riders headed toward the gate but the mounts pulled away, spooked by the humongous carnivore.

From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older