paleobiology

noun

pa·​leo·​bi·​ol·​o·​gy ˌpā-lē-ō-bī-ˈä-lə-jē How to pronounce paleobiology (audio)
: a branch of paleontology concerned with the biology of fossil organisms
paleobiological adjective
or less commonly paleobiologic
paleobiologist noun

Examples of paleobiology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While studying for a master of sciences in organismic evolutionary ecology and paleobiology, Marcello Perillo began examining the bone structure of the mysterious samples. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024 Conservation paleobiology is new enough that its insights are only starting to percolate through to the government agencies that make conservation decisions on the ground. Bob Holmes, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Aug. 2023 Conservation paleobiology has limits In theory, paleobiologists could apply their techniques to explore ecosystems millions, or tens of millions, of years in the past. Bob Holmes, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Aug. 2023 Dillon is one of the rising stars in the burgeoning new field of conservation paleobiology, which uses the fossil record to inform and assist present-day conservation efforts. Bob Holmes, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Aug. 2023 See all Example Sentences for paleobiology 

Word History

Etymology

paleo- + biology

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paleobiology was in 1893

Dictionary Entries Near paleobiology

Cite this Entry

“Paleobiology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paleobiology. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!