Cenozoic

[ see-nuh-zoh-ik, sen-uh- ]

adjective

1. noting or pertaining to the present era, beginning 65 million years ago and characterized by the ascendancy of mammals.

noun

1. the Cenozoic Era or group of systems.

Cenozoic

/ ˌsiːnəʊˈzəʊɪk /

adjective

1. of, denoting, or relating to the most recent geological era, which began 65 000 000 years ago: characterized by the development and increase of the mammals

noun

1. the Cenozoic
   the Cenozoic era

Cenozoic

/ sĕn′ə-zō′ĭk /

1. The most recent era of geologic time, from about 65 million years ago to the present. The Cenozoic Era is characterized by the formation of modern continents and the diversification of mammals and plants. Grasses also evolved during the Cenozoic. The climate was warm and tropical toward the beginning of the era and cooled significantly in the second half, leading to several ice ages. Humans first appeared near the end of this era.
2. See Chart at geologic time

Word History and Origins

Origin of Cenozoic¹

First recorded in 1850–55; ceno- ¹ + zo- + -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of Cenozoic¹

C19: from Greek kainos new, recent + zōikos, from zōion animal

Example Sentences

What physical characteristics of the earth helped in the development of new animal forms in the Cenozoic era?

From Project Gutenberg

The Cenozoic era comprises two divisions,—the Tertiary period and the Quaternary period.

From Project Gutenberg

There is a laboratory of invertebrate paleontology of Cenozoic and Mesozoic age, with a corps of paleontologists.

From Project Gutenberg

Paleozoic means "ancient life;" Mesozoic, "middle life;" Cenozoic, "recent life."

From Project Gutenberg

The next geological era is the Cenozoic, or period of modern life.

From Project Gutenberg