brontosaurus

noun

bron·​to·​sau·​rus ˌbrän-tə-ˈsȯr-əs 

variants or less commonly brontosaur

ˈbrän-tə-ˌsȯr 

: any of a genus (Apatosaurus) of very large sauropod dinosaurs of the Late Jurassic : apatosaurus

Note: The name brontosaurus continues to be commonly used for these dinosaurs even though their former genus name (Brontosaurus) is considered invalid.

Examples of brontosaurus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Arguably the first-ever cinematic kaiju, The Lost World’s brontosaurus is deserving of mention in any list of giant monsters for its historical stature, regardless of how tall the dino actually was compared to some of the other kaiju on this list. —James Grebey, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2024

Here’s how cute rom-coms were in the 1930s: The entire plot rests on a dog burying the bone of a brontosaurus. —Vogue, 10 Sep. 2024

This cute dino backpack features brontosauruses, stegosauruses, and more. —Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 24 June 2024

However, special considerations must be made for a brontosaurus who trashes London in the climax of the 1925 silent film The Lost World. —James Grebey, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek brontē thunder + sauros lizard; akin to Greek bremein to roar

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

brontosaurus

noun

bron·​to·​sau·​rus ˌbränt-ə-ˈsȯr-əs 

variants also brontosaur

ˈbränt-ə-ˌsȯ(ə)r 

: any of several very large four-footed plant-eating dinosaurs

Etymology

derived from Greek brontē "thunder" and Greek sauros "lizard"