fossilize

1 of 2

verb

fos·​sil·​ize ˈfä-sə-ˌlīz 

fossilized; fossilizing

transitive verb

1

: to convert into a fossil

2

: to make outmoded, rigid, or fixed

intransitive verb

: to become changed into a fossil

fossilization

ˌfä-sə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

fossilization

2 of 2

noun

fos·​sil·​iza·​tion

variants also British fossilisation

ˌ⸗⸗lə̇ˈzāshən, 

-ˌlīˈz-

plural -s

: the process of fossilizing or becoming fossilized

Examples of fossilize in a Sentence

Verb

The mud helped to preserve and fossilize the wood.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In 2014, Attenborough died at the age of 90 — but he will forever be fossilized in our hearts. —Huntley Woods, Entertainment Weekly, 11 June 2026

In these cases, the whale bones managed to fossilize before scavengers and microbes could demolish the massive carcasses. —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 10 June 2026

Whale bones can then fossilize over time, leaving behind traces of what life looked like millions of years ago. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 10 June 2026

While the oldest human footsteps are fossilized in Tanzania, the Wits Origins Centre—part of the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa—provides an excellent introduction to the beginning of humanity. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

International Scientific Vocabulary fossilize + -ation

First Known Use

Verb

1794, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1817, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fossilize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

fossilize

verb

fos·​sil·​ize ˈfäs-ə-ˌlīz 

fossilized; fossilizing

: to change or become changed into a fossil

fossilization

ˌfäs-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun