pteranodon

noun

pter·​an·​o·​don tə-ˈra-nə-ˌdän How to pronounce pteranodon (audio) -ˈrä- How to pronounce pteranodon (audio)
: any of a genus (Pteranodon) of Cretaceous pterosaurs having a backwardly directed bony crest on the skull and a wingspan of about 25 feet (7.7 meters)

Examples of pteranodon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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In July, Sotheby’s held an auction that included the fossil of a pteranodon, a flying reptile from the Cretaceous period, ABC News reported. David Chiu, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2023 The study relied on a mix of new and old fossil specimens, including those of the large pteranodon, which lived about 100 million years ago and had a wingspan of 23 feet or more. Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 17 Aug. 2023 The pteranodon is currently displayed in Sotheby’s galleries with wings outstretched in a soaring position and is mounted on a custom armature rigged for ceiling suspension. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 12 July 2023 Almost all of the original fossil bones remain on the pteranodon's remains and are essentially unrestored, meaning that artificial filler was not used to replace missing bone sections. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 12 July 2023 As part of a makeover of the central hall in the museum’s 125th anniversary year, the two-story tall titanosaur will be surrounded by flying reptile models such as pteranodons, and a new hanging garden will occupy nearby airspace. Steve Johnson, chicagotribune.com, 11 May 2018 Inside, the skeleton of a great winged pteranodon hangs suspended from the ceiling. Eric Adler and Steve Vockrodt, kansascity, 18 May 2018 Kids will swoon over Baltazar’s illustrations of World War II fighters strafing robots as pteranodons swoop by. Adam Gidwitz, New York Times, 15 Dec. 2017

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek pteron wing + anodōn toothless from an- + odōn, odous tooth — more at feather, tooth

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pteranodon was in 1876

Dictionary Entries Near pteranodon

Cite this Entry

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

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