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

This finding offers important new insight into the evolutionary underpinnings of outer ears, which are typically difficult to study, because cartilage disintegrates over time and does not fossilize like bone. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Jan. 2025

The origin of mammals’ external ears remains a mystery in part because cartilage usually doesn’t fossilize. —Bymitch Leslie, science.org, 9 Jan. 2025

Studies involving these prehistoric creatures often rely on teeth above all else; a durable enamel coating helps teeth fossilize reliably, although enamel thickness differs among dinosaur species. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 1 Jan. 2025

But whatever transpired, sediment covered and preserved enough of the body that the bones fossilized. —Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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