Jurassic

[ joo-ras-ik ]

adjective

1. noting or pertaining to a period of the Mesozoic Epoch, occurring from 190 to 140 million years ago and characterized by an abundance of dinosaurs and the advent of birds and mammals.

noun

1. the Jurassic Period or System.

Jurassic

/ dʒʊˈræsɪk /

adjective

1. of, denoting, or formed in the second period of the Mesozoic era, between the Triassic and Cretaceous periods, lasting for 55 million years during which dinosaurs and ammonites flourished

noun

1. the Jurassic
   the Jurassic period or rock system

Jurassic

/ j-răs′ĭk /

1. The second and middle period of the Mesozoic Era, from about 208 to 144 million years ago. During this time the supercontinent Pangaea continued to split up and numerous shallow seas inundated the new continents. Dinosaurs were the dominant form of terrestrial animal life, and the earliest birds appeared. Marine life was dominated by ammonites and belemnites, and sponges, corals, bryozoa, and gastropods all flourished. Gymnosperms and cycads were the dominant land plants.
2. See Chart at geologic time

Other Words From

• post-Ju·rassic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Jurassic¹

First recorded in 1825–35; Jur(a) + -assic, suffix extracted from Triassic; compare French jurassique

Word History and Origins

Origin of Jurassic¹

C19: from French jurassique, after the Jura (Mountains)

Example Sentences

A house has been left teetering close to the edge of a crumbling cliff following significant rockfall along the Jurassic Coast.

From BBC

We’re gonna go to the Museum of Jurassic Technology, and hopefully get a discount, because my friend Emma works there.

From Los Angeles Times

Universal Studios revamped this ride in 2019 so it aligns with the most recent crop of “Jurassic World” films rather than the initial “Jurassic Park.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Something interesting happened in the past two years. And like Jurassic Park, the bears have learned how to open doors. I don’t know how they learned it. I don’t know how they’re teaching each other, but they’re opening car doors, too.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Museum of Jurassic Technology in Culver City was the perfect place for me to gauge just how weird someone was.

From Los Angeles Times