pteranodon

[ tuh-ran-uh-don ]

noun

1. a flying reptile of the extinct order Pterosauria, from the Cretaceous Period, having a wingspread of about 25 feet (8 meters).

pteranodon

/ tə-răn′ə-dŏn′ /

1. Any of several very large, extinct flying reptiles (pterosaurs) of the genus Pteranodon of the Cretaceous Period. Pteranodon had a long pointed crest on its head, no teeth, a very short tail, and a wingspan upwards of 9 m (30 ft).

Word History and Origins

Origin of pteranodon¹

< New Latin, equivalent to pter- pter- + Greek anódōn toothless ( an- ¹, -odont )

Example Sentences

The pteranodon specimen, nicknamed Horus after the falcon-headed Egyptian god, was discovered in 2002 in Kansas in what was once an inland sea that divided the continent of North America during the Cretaceous Period, Sotheby’s said.

From Seattle Times

One of the largest winged creatures that ever lived, the pteranodon flew over water and used its long beak to fish for prey.

From Seattle Times

Sotheby’s is estimating that the pteranodon will sell for $4 million to $6 million.

From Seattle Times

Suddenly, another “flying reptile” from the dinosaur books appeared in the sky: a giant Pteranodon with a thirty-foot wingspan.

From Literature

Kyle kept his cool and aimed his reptile into what he hoped would be the Pteranodon’s blind spot.

From Literature