noun
paleontology
pay-lee-ahn-TAH-luh-jee/ˌpeɪliɑːnˈtɑːlədʒi/
The scientific study of prehistoric life through fossils.
Paleontology investigates ancient life through fossils like this preserved fish.
Etymology
Combining “ancient” with “the study of being” directs attention to life that existed in the past. Fossils provide the preserved evidence through which that ancient life is studied.
In context
we being paleontology we compared that tooth to other teeth we found and oh look it looks like a hadrosaur
More examples
- She studies paleontology at the university.
- The museum's paleontology collection includes fossilized bones and plants.
- His interest in paleontology began with a fossil found on the beach.
Forms
paleontology