mastodon
noun
mas·to·don
ˈma-stə-ˌdän 
-dən
1
: any of various extinct mammals (genus Mammut synonym Mastodon) of the elephant family existing from the Miocene through the Pleistocene that are distinguished from the related mammoths chiefly by molar teeth with cone-shaped cusps
2
: one that is unusually large
Examples of mastodon in a Sentence
mom-and-pop stores just can't compete with these mastodons of retailing
Recent Examples on the Web
These predators could grow up to six feet in length, and their large skull and jaws were adapted to take down Pleistocene megafauna such as mastodons and bison.
—
Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 8 Apr. 2025
For now, the researchers have identified the remains as belonging to an adult mastodon.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Dec. 2024
Making a better avocado took giant sloths and mastodons
A lot has gone into creating the millions of bowls of guacamole and plates of avocado toast Americans enjoy each year.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
These included enormous animals such as mammoths, mastodons and giant sloths that could be 10 feet tall and weigh 2,200 pounds.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
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Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 8 Apr. 2025
For now, the researchers have identified the remains as belonging to an adult mastodon.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Dec. 2024
Making a better avocado took giant sloths and mastodons
A lot has gone into creating the millions of bowls of guacamole and plates of avocado toast Americans enjoy each year.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
These included enormous animals such as mammoths, mastodons and giant sloths that could be 10 feet tall and weigh 2,200 pounds.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mastodon
Cite this Entry
“Mastodon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mastodon. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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