fossilize

verb

fos·​sil·​ize ˈfä-sə-ˌlīz 

fossilized; fossilizing

transitive verb

1

: to convert into a fossil

2

: to make outmoded, rigid, or fixed

intransitive verb

: to become changed into a fossil

fossilization

ˌfä-sə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Examples of fossilize in a Sentence

The mud helped to preserve and fossilize the wood.

Recent Examples on the Web

The researchers also analyzed tiny plant remains fossilizing in the cubs’ stomachs, revealing that the wolves lived in a dry, somewhat mild environment that could support diverse vegetation including prairie grasses, willows and shrub leaves. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 14 June 2025

The beams had become fossilized after being in the water for so long and needed heavy cranes to be moved. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 14 June 2025

Sharks have skeletons made mostly of cartilage, which doesn’t fossilize well, so researchers often rely on teeth. —Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025

Mollusks are great subjects for this kind of study as their hard shells fossilize easily, giving scientists ample evidence from this period in Earth’s history. —Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 4 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for fossilize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

Kids Definition

fossilize

verb

fos·​sil·​ize ˈfäs-ə-ˌlīz 

fossilized; fossilizing

: to change or become changed into a fossil

fossilization

ˌfäs-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun