ichthyosaur
noun
ich·thyo·saur
ˈik-thē-ə-ˌsȯr 
: any of an order (Ichthyosauria) of extinct marine reptiles of the Mesozoic specialized for aquatic life by a streamlined body with a long snout, limbs reduced to small fins for steering, and a large lunate caudal fin
Examples of ichthyosaur in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
At the same time that Lomax and his team were confirming the species of ichthyosaur in the U.K., a graduate student in Germany was examining bone fragments from around the world to confirm the internal bone structure of all ichthyosaurs.
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Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024
During the Rhaetian, gigantic ichthyosaurs swam while dinosaurs walked on land.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 Apr. 2024
Even with their impressive length, Fraser says that the larger ichthyosaurs of the era — massive marine reptiles that once ruled the seas — may have preyed on Dinocephalosaurus.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 20 Mar. 2024
Several groups of dolphin-like ichthyosaurs also died out.
—Howard Lee, Ars Technica, 8 Feb. 2023
Stomach contents reveal a regular diet of cephalopods, but some also include sharks, fish, turtles, ichthyosaurs, other marine reptiles, and even dinosaur dermal scutes.
—Jeanne Timmons, Ars Technica, 23 Mar. 2023
The ichthyosaurs harvest huge numbers of small squid.
—Robert Baker, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2019
In the ecological shakeup that followed, competing predators such as the fish-like ichthyosaur and ancient marine crocodile relatives suffered while the pliosaur prospered and diversified.
—Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 21 Nov. 2023
Pterosaurs took to the skies, while ichthyosaurs flourished in the oceans.
—Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 20 Sep. 2023
Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024
During the Rhaetian, gigantic ichthyosaurs swam while dinosaurs walked on land.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 Apr. 2024
Even with their impressive length, Fraser says that the larger ichthyosaurs of the era — massive marine reptiles that once ruled the seas — may have preyed on Dinocephalosaurus.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 20 Mar. 2024
Several groups of dolphin-like ichthyosaurs also died out.
—Howard Lee, Ars Technica, 8 Feb. 2023
Stomach contents reveal a regular diet of cephalopods, but some also include sharks, fish, turtles, ichthyosaurs, other marine reptiles, and even dinosaur dermal scutes.
—Jeanne Timmons, Ars Technica, 23 Mar. 2023
The ichthyosaurs harvest huge numbers of small squid.
—Robert Baker, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2019
In the ecological shakeup that followed, competing predators such as the fish-like ichthyosaur and ancient marine crocodile relatives suffered while the pliosaur prospered and diversified.
—Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 21 Nov. 2023
Pterosaurs took to the skies, while ichthyosaurs flourished in the oceans.
—Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 20 Sep. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ichthyosaur.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ichthyosaur
Cite this Entry
“Ichthyosaur.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ichthyosaur. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ichthyosaur
noun
ich·thyo·saur
ˈik-thē-ə-ˌsȯ(ə)r
: any of an order of extinct marine reptiles with a fish-shaped body and a long snout
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