diagenesis

noun

dia·​gen·​e·​sis ˌdī-ə-ˈje-nə-səs How to pronounce diagenesis (audio)
1
: recombination or rearrangement of constituents (as of a chemical or mineral) resulting in a new product
2
: the conversion (as by compaction or chemical reaction) of sediment into rock
diagenetic adjective
diagenetically adverb

Examples of diagenesis 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.
Depositional setting and early diagenesis of the dinosaur eggshell-bearing Aren Fm at Bastus, Late Campanian, south-central Pyrenees Scientific Reports. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 15 May 2024 Mosasaurs, limpets, or diagenesis: How Placenticeras shells got punctured. Brian Switek, WIRED, 11 Apr. 2012

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

circa 1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of diagenesis was circa 1886

Dictionary Entries Near diagenesis

Cite this Entry

“Diagenesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diagenesis. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on diagenesis

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!