paleontology

[pey-lee-uhn-tol-uh-jee, pal-ee-]

noun

plural

paleontologies 

1. the science of the forms of life existing in former geologic periods, as represented by their fossils.

2. a treatise on paleontology.

paleontology

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 Word Forms

• paleontologic adjective
• paleontological adjective
• paleontologically adverb
• paleontologist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of paleontology¹

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

Example Sentences

“It’s frustrating when you work in paleontology and you feel like it’s not effective science communication, and I wish I’d done a bit better.”

From Los Angeles Times

This summer, Austin Hendy, an assistant curator at the Natural History Museum who specializes in invertebrate paleontology, spent hours sifting and sorting through thousands of fossilized shells found in the shell bed.

From Los Angeles Times

“That’s always the case with paleontology: The field gets to this boundary and then we just set up camp and hang around until somebody makes some new methodological break, and we advance,” Barden says.

From Science Magazine

After its death around 67 million years ago, it was entombed in the Hell Creek Formation, a popular paleontology playground that spans Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas.

From Seattle Times

Babin said that his training in paleontology and dentistry helped him recognize that what seems like a strange rock at first glance is actually an upper jaw bone and teeth.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• excavation