: of, relating to, or being the period between the Cambrian and the Silurian or the corresponding system of rocks see Geologic Time Table
Ordovician noun

Examples of Ordovician in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Early plants like mosses and liverworts emerged around 470 million years ago during the Ordovician Period. Scott Travers, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024 Other notably old objects include: Hundreds of fossils from the Late Ordovician period that are 420 million years old. Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 6 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin Ordovices, ancient people in northern Wales

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Ordovician was in 1879

Dictionary Entries Near Ordovician

Cite this Entry

“Ordovician.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Ordovician. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

Ordovician

adjective
: of, relating to, or being a period of the Paleozoic era of geological history or the corresponding system of rocks see geologic time
Ordovician noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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