quaternary

1 of 2

adjective

qua·​ter·​na·​ry ˈkwä-tər-ˌner-ē How to pronounce quaternary (audio)
ˈkwä-tə-,
kwə-ˈtər-nə-rē How to pronounce quaternary (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or consisting of four units or members
b
: of, relating to, or being a number system with a base of four
2
capitalized : of, relating to, or being the geologic period from the end of the Tertiary to the present time or the corresponding system of rocks see Geologic Time Table
3
: consisting of, containing, or being an atom bonded to four other atoms

quaternary

2 of 2

noun

plural quaternaries
1
capitalized : the Quaternary period or system of rocks
2
: a member of a group fourth in order or rank

Examples of quaternary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The climate is hot and arid, said Mahmoud Abbas, a quaternary geologist at Shantou University in Shantou, China, and a Jordanian by birth. Katherine Kornei, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2023 This quaternary ammonium salt acts as a formaldehyde releaser. Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 8 Aug. 2023
Noun
Today's PT lumber is treated with safer, less toxic chemicals, such as alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) or copper azole. Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 6 June 2017 See all Example Sentences for quaternary 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'quaternary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin quaternarius, from quaterni four each

First Known Use

Adjective

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of quaternary was in 1605

Dictionary Entries Near quaternary

Cite this Entry

“Quaternary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quaternary. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

Quaternary

adjective
Qua·​ter·​na·​ry
ˈkwät-ə(r)-ˌner-ē,
kwə-ˈtər-nə-rē
: of, relating to, or being the period of geological history from the end of the Tertiary period to the present time or the corresponding system of rocks see geologic time
Quaternary noun

Medical Definition

quaternary

1 of 2 adjective
: consisting of, containing, or being an atom bonded to four other atoms

quaternary

2 of 2 noun
plural quaternaries
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