paleontology

[ pey-lee-uhn-tol-uh-jeeor, especially British, pal-ee- ]

noun

, plural pa·le·on·tol·o·gies

1. the science of the forms of life existing in former geologic periods, as represented by their fossils.
2. a treatise on paleontology.

paleontology

/ pā′lē-ŏn-tŏl′ə-jē /

1. The scientific study of life in the geologic past, especially through the study of animal and plant fossils.

paleontology

1. The study of ancient life forms, particularly as they are seen in fossils .

Other Words From

• pa·le·on·to·log·ic [pey-lee-on-tl-, oj, -ik, pal-ee-], pa·le·on·to·log·i·cal adjective
• pa·le·on·to·log·i·cal·ly adverb
• pa·le·on·tol·o·gist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of paleontology¹

From the French word paléontologie, dating back to 1830–40; paleo-, ontology

Example Sentences

They’re just really intricate features that most people outside of paleontology aren’t interested in.

From Popular-Science

In 2015, our research brought me a revelation that my colleagues in marine biology and paleontology and I are still sorting out today.

From Nautilus

Let’s take another look, as modern paleoanthropologists have, at the Taung child’s skull, one of paleontology’s most famous fossils, the remains of a child from the species, Australopithecus africanus, discovered in 1924.

From Nautilus

Hidden in the rolling hills, hours from the nearest big city, Ashfall is one of the world’s premier paleontology sites.

From Science News For Students

According to Julien Louys—associate professor of paleontology at Griffiths University in Australia and an author of the new research—the question of what caused the death of the world's megafauna dates back to the 19th century.

From Ars Technica

And if the fossils go to a private collector, they are effectively lost to paleontology and the public for good.

From The Daily Beast

He draws evidence from genetics, geography, paleontology, anatomy, and elsewhere.

From The Daily Beast

It relies on the facts of paleontology, and fills up the gaps in this by comparative anatomy and ontogeny.

From Project Gutenberg

The three most valuable sources of evidence in phylogeny are paleontology, comparative anatomy, and ontogeny.

From Project Gutenberg

But Paleontology is only one branch of the subject, and many others your survey has equally fostered.

From Project Gutenberg

A contribution to the Tertiary geology and paleontology of northeastern Colorado.

From Project Gutenberg

The question had implications far beyond the bounds of paleontology, of course.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• excavation