Triassic

adjective

Tri·​as·​sic trī-ˈa-sik How to pronounce Triassic (audio)
: of, relating to, or being the earliest period of the Mesozoic era or the corresponding system of rocks marked by the first appearance of the dinosaurs see Geologic Time Table
Triassic noun

Examples of Triassic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Standing near the hulking Megalosaurus, which dates from the Middle Jurassic period, Todd points out Cretaceous and Triassic specimens on either side of the beast. Yannic Rack, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Aug. 2023 Only after the end-Triassic mass extinction, in the Jurassic, did dinosaurs start to truly flourish—before that, the world saw a very different cast of ruling reptiles. Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Latin trias triad; from the three subdivisions of the European Triassic — more at triad

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Triassic was in 1841

Dictionary Entries Near Triassic

Cite this Entry

“Triassic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Triassic. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

Triassic

adjective
Tri·​as·​sic trī-ˈas-ik How to pronounce Triassic (audio)
: of, relating to, or being the earliest period of the Mesozoic era of geological history marked by the first appearance of dinosaurs
also : relating to the corresponding system of rocks see geologic time
Triassic noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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