Cambrian

adjective

Cam·​bri·​an ˈkam-brē-ən  ˈkām- 

1

: welsh

2

: of, relating to, or being the earliest geologic period of the Paleozoic era or the corresponding system of rocks marked by fossils of nearly every major invertebrate animal group see Geologic Time Table

Cambrian noun

Examples of Cambrian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

During the era of the Cambrian Explosion, some animals evolved to be able to create their own exoskeleton, a process known as sclerotization. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 26 June 2024

One example is a fossil specimen of the Cambrian arthropod Mollisonia, which showed brain organization comparable with that of living spiders, scorpions and horseshoe crabs, Mussini said. —Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 24 June 2024

The Past The oldest relative of living animals is a jellyfish The 557-million-year-old specimen challenges the theory that animal body plans were laid out in the Cambrian explosion. —Big Think, 24 June 2024

Bioluminescence emerged around the time of the Cambrian Explosion, the most intense burst of evolution on record. —Discover Magazine, 19 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin Cambria Wales, from Middle Welsh Cymry Wales, Welshmen

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

Cambrian

adjective

Cam·​bri·​an ˈkam-brē-ən  ˈkām- 

: of, relating to, or being the earliest period of the Paleozoic era of geological history or the corresponding system of rocks marked by fossils of nearly every major invertebrate animal group see geologic time

Cambrian noun