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

Until recently, scientists thought arthropods flourished during the Cambrian Period (538-485 million years ago), which came before the period in which the specimen found by Parry's team was fossilized, according to Oxford University. —Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024

Unlucky for the wee beast, yes, but the circumstances of its demise proved fortunate for paleontologists: Its body was encased in iron-rich, oxygen-poor sediment that fostered the formation of the mineral pyrite, also called fool’s gold, fossilizing the arthropod in opulent fashion. —Christie Wilcox, science.org, 30 Oct. 2024

But unfortunately, brain tissue — not to mention behavior — doesn’t fossilize. —Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 26 Sep. 2024

Common species are more likely to be fossilized than rare ones. —Asher Elbein, Scientific American, 24 Sep. 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