ichthyosaur

noun

ich·​thyo·​saur ˈik-thē-ə-ˌsȯr 

: any of an order (Ichthyosauria) of extinct marine reptiles of the Mesozoic specialized for aquatic life by a streamlined body with a long snout, limbs reduced to small fins for steering, and a large lunate caudal fin

ichthyosaurian

ˌik-thē-ə-ˈsȯr-ē-ən 

adjective or noun

Examples of ichthyosaur in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The largest ichthyosaur skeleton so far was found in British Columbia, Canada, measured 21 meters, and belonged to a particularly massive ichthyosaur called Shonisaurus sikanniensis. —Jacek Krywko, Ars Technica, 18 Apr. 2024

The end-Triassic mass extinction was not the end of all ichthyosaurs, though. —Jacek Krywko, Ars Technica, 18 Apr. 2024

At the same time that Lomax and his team were confirming the species of ichthyosaur in the U.K., a graduate student in Germany was examining bone fragments from around the world to confirm the internal bone structure of all ichthyosaurs. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024

During the Rhaetian, gigantic ichthyosaurs swam while dinosaurs walked on land. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Greek ichthy- + sauros lizard

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ichthyosaur

noun

ich·​thyo·​saur ˈik-thē-ə-ˌsȯ(ə)r 

: any of an order of extinct marine reptiles with a fish-shaped body and a long snout