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Paleontology: meaning, definitions and examples

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paleontology

 

[ ˌpeɪlɪɒnˈtɑlədʒi ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

study of fossils

Paleontology is the scientific study of fossils to understand the history of life on Earth. It involves excavating, analyzing, and interpreting fossil remains to reconstruct past environments and the evolution of organisms.

Synonyms

fossil study, paleobiology.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
paleontology

This term is broadly used in scientific contexts to refer to the study of ancient life through the examination of fossils. It encompasses various sub-disciplines and is often used in academic and research settings.

  • She decided to pursue a degree in paleontology.
  • The conference on paleontology attracted experts from around the world.
fossil study

This phrase is more straightforward and can be used in general, non-scientific conversations to describe the examination of fossils. It's less formal and more descriptive, suitable for casual talks or educational contexts.

  • In school, we learned about fossil study in our science class.
  • Fossil study can provide insights into the history of life on Earth.
paleobiology

This term is used specifically to describe the study of ancient life forms and their biology, often focusing on their interactions with the environment and evolution over time. It is commonly used in specialized scientific research and academic literature.

  • Her research in paleobiology explores the diet and behavior of extinct species.
  • Paleobiology integrates concepts from biology and geology to understand ancient ecosystems.

Examples of usage

  • Paleontology helps us understand how ancient organisms lived and evolved.
  • The paleontologist discovered a new species of dinosaur through careful excavation.
  • Fossils collected by paleontologists provide valuable insights into prehistoric ecosystems.

Translations

Translations of the word "paleontology" in other languages:

🇵🇹 paleontologia

🇮🇳 जीवाश्मविज्ञान

🇩🇪 Paläontologie

🇮🇩 paleontologi

🇺🇦 палеонтологія

🇵🇱 paleontologia

🇯🇵 古生物学 (こせいぶつがく)

🇫🇷 paléontologie

🇪🇸 paleontología

🇹🇷 paleontoloji

🇰🇷 고생물학 (gosaengmulhak)

🇸🇦 علم الحفريات

🇨🇿 paleontologie

🇸🇰 paleontológia

🇨🇳 古生物学 (gǔshēngwùxué)

🇸🇮 paleontologija

🇮🇸 steingervingafræði

🇰🇿 палеонтология

🇬🇪 პალეონტოლოგია (p'aleontologia)

🇦🇿 paleontologiya

🇲🇽 paleontología

Etymology

The term 'paleontology' comes from the Greek words 'paleo' meaning ancient and 'logos' meaning study. The field of paleontology has a rich history dating back to the 17th century when fossils were first recognized as remnants of ancient life forms. Over the centuries, paleontology has contributed significantly to our understanding of the history of life on Earth.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,530, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.