biostratigraphy

noun

bio·​stra·​tig·​ra·​phy ˌbī-ō-strə-ˈti-grə-fē 

1

: the identification of fossils found within sedimentary rock strata as a method of determining the relative geologic age of the rock

also : the branch of paleontology involving such identification

2

: the arrangement of fossils in rock strata

biostratigraphic

ˌbī-ō-ˌstra-tə-ˈgra-fik

adjective

Examples of biostratigraphy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Outside of the Bighorn Basin, however, biostratigraphy becomes more difficult. — Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 26 June 2025

Researchers also used biostratigraphy, which is the study of how fossils appear, proliferate and disappear throughout the rock record, to establish relative ages. — Erin Dimaggio, Smithsonian, 13 June 2019

Paleontologists still commonly use biostratigraphy to date fossils, often in combination with paleomagnetism and tephrochronology. — Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 31 May 2016

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for biostratigraphy

• stratigraphy