Cenozoic

adjective

Ce·​no·​zo·​ic ˌsē-nə-ˈzō-ik 

ˌse-

: of, relating to, or being an era of geologic history that extends from the beginning of the Tertiary (see tertiary entry 1 sense 2) period to the present time and is marked by a rapid evolution of mammals and birds and of angiosperms and especially grasses and by little change in the invertebrates

also : relating to the corresponding system of rocks see Geologic Time Table

Cenozoic noun

Word History

Etymology

Greek kainos + English -zoic

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Cenozoic

adjective

Ce·​no·​zo·​ic ˌsē-nə-ˈzō-ik 

ˌsen-ə-

: of, relating to, or being an era of geological history that extends from the beginning of the Tertiary period to the present time and is marked by a rapid evolution of mammals and birds and of flowering plants and especially grasses

also : relating to the corresponding system of rocks see geologic time

Cenozoic noun