paleontology Definition
the scientific study of prehistoric life and the history of the earth through the examination of fossils.
Using paleontology: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "paleontology" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The museum has a large collection of dinosaur fossils for paleontologists to study.
Example
Paleontology is an interdisciplinary field that combines biology, geology, and chemistry.
Example
The discovery of a new species of ancient reptile has excited paleontologists around the world.
paleontology Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for paleontology
- paleobiology
- paleozoology
- fossilology
Phrases with paleontology
the study of the fossilized remains of animals with backbones
Example
Vertebrate paleontology is a subfield of paleontology that focuses on the study of the evolution and diversity of vertebrates.
the study of microscopic fossils, including bacteria, algae, and protozoa
Example
Micropaleontology is an important tool for understanding the evolution of life on Earth, especially in the early stages of its development.
the study of fossilized plants
Example
Paleobotany provides valuable insights into the evolution of plant life on Earth, including the development of forests and the rise of flowering plants.
Origins of paleontology
from Greek 'palaios', meaning 'old' or 'ancient', and 'logos', meaning 'study'
Summary: paleontology in Brief
Paleontology [pey-lee-on-tol-uh-jee] is the scientific study of prehistoric life and the history of the earth through the examination of fossils. It is an interdisciplinary field that combines biology, geology, and chemistry. Paleontology includes subfields like vertebrate paleontology, micropaleontology, and paleobotany, which respectively study the fossilized remains of animals with backbones, microscopic fossils, and fossilized plants.
