theropod
noun
the·ro·pod
ˈthir-ə-ˌpäd 
plural theropods
: any of a suborder (Theropoda) of carnivorous, bipedal, saurischian dinosaurs (such as a tyrannosaur or velociraptor) having hollow, thin-walled bones and usually small forelimbs
Note: Birds are descended from one lineage of small theropods.
Examples of theropod in a Sentence
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In South America, for example, theropods like carcharodontosaurs dominated the predator hierarchy above megaraptorids.
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Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
Meat-eaters like tyrannosaurs and Velociraptors all belong to a group of dinosaurs called theropods.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 5 Dec. 2024
The fossils suggest that modern-Victoria’s ancient ecosystem was dominated by these powerful theropods.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Feb. 2025
In turn, theropods and ornithischians may have developed the ability to generate their own body heat millions of years ago.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 23 Jan. 2025
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Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
Meat-eaters like tyrannosaurs and Velociraptors all belong to a group of dinosaurs called theropods.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 5 Dec. 2024
The fossils suggest that modern-Victoria’s ancient ecosystem was dominated by these powerful theropods.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Feb. 2025
In turn, theropods and ornithischians may have developed the ability to generate their own body heat millions of years ago.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for theropod
Cite this Entry
“Theropod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theropod. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
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