theropod

noun

the·ro·pod ˈthir-ə-ˌpäd

plural theropods

: any of a suborder (Theropoda) of carnivorous, bipedal, saurischian dinosaurs (such as a tyrannosaur or velociraptor) having hollow, thin-walled bones and usually small forelimbs

Note: Birds are descended from one lineage of small theropods.

Examples of theropod in a Sentence

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Many theropods, including close relatives of T. rex like Yutyrannus huali, sported feathers—a feature initially used for insulation or display rather than flight. —

Scott Travers, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024 There are sauropod tracks, and footprints from theropods, mainly the Acrocanthosaurus, which left three-toed prints. —

Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 4 Dec. 2024 Both are descendants of theropods, two-legged creatures that wreaked havoc in various periods on Earth. —

Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2024 It’s known to have sported osteoderms along its back, possibly weighed as much as three tons, and had massive jaws, not dissimilar to that of a large theropod. —

Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for theropod