pteranodon

American  

[tuh-ran-uh-don] / təˈræn əˌdɒn /

noun

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

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pteranodon Scientific  

/ 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).

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Etymology

Origin of pteranodon

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

Example Sentences

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 • Jul. 11, 2023

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

From Seattle Times • Jul. 11, 2023

With this trend, terabytes of images — such as digital facsimiles of Neanderthal teeth, sabretooth-cat skulls and pteranodon wing-bones — are filling online repositories.

From Nature • Mar. 5, 2019

Especially noteworthy were bringing the triceratops, mosasaurus, pteranodon, Tyrannosaurus rex, brachiosaurus, velociraptor spinosaurus and the Indominus Rex hybrid to digital life.

From Washington Times • Jun. 12, 2018

Magdalys patted the pteranodon lovingly as they circled in for a gentle and still thunderous landing.

From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older