sauropod

[ sawr-uh-pod ]

noun

1. any herbivorous dinosaur of the suborder Sauropoda, from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, having a small head, long neck and tail, and five-toed limbs: the largest known land animal.

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the sauropods.

sauropod

/ ˈsɔːrəˌpɒd; sɔːˈrɒpədəs /

noun

1. any herbivorous quadrupedal saurischian dinosaur of the suborder Sauropoda, of Jurassic and Cretaceous times, including the brontosaurus, diplodocus, and titanosaurs. They had small heads and long necks and tails and were partly amphibious

sauropod

/ sôr′ə-pŏd′ /

1. One of the two types of saurischian dinosaurs, widespread during the Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods. Sauropods were plant-eaters and often grew to tremendous size, having a stout body with thick legs, long slender necks with a small head, and long tails. Sauropods included the apatosaurus (brontosaurus) and brachiosaurus.
2. Compare theropod

Derived Forms

• sauropodous, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sauropod¹

1890–95; < New Latin Sauropoda suborder name < Greek saûro ( s ) lizard + -poda -poda; -pod

Word History and Origins

Origin of sauropod¹

C19: from New Latin sauropoda, from Greek sauros lizard + pous foot

Example Sentences

By the late 1980s, scientists had discovered that sauropods had hollow bones.

From Science News

Debate over whether Brontosaurus and its fellow sauropods splashed through swamps or ambled over dry land has persisted for decades.

From Science News

At that time, sauropods were diversifying and spreading across the world.

From Science News For Students

They’re the only such sauropod footprints to ever turn up in a natural cave.

From Science News For Students

While at Castelbouc Cave in December 2015, his team found the sauropod prints.

From Science News For Students