Cambrian

adjective

Cam·​bri·​an ˈkam-brē-ən How to pronounce Cambrian (audio) ˈkām- How to pronounce Cambrian (audio)
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 Magnesium’s online success also has been spurred in part by a Cambrian explosion of products and formulations, each adapted for a different niche in the wellness ecosystem. Adam Markovitz, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Episode 1 led the round and was joined by Playfair Capital, Portfolio Ventures, and others. - Cambrian Robotics, a London, U.K.-based machine vision company, raised $3.5 million in Seed+ funding. Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 5 Mar. 2024 However, the digital age has brought about a Cambrian explosion of data availability, paired with advancements in analytics and AI capabilities, marking a new era in venture capital. Douglas B. Laney, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 Enlarge Jiri Svoboda Trilobites first appear early in the Cambrian and are one of the earliest examples of arthropods, the group that includes all insects. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 27 Sep. 2023 These were some of the largest swimming animals of the Early Cambrian period and are described in a study published January 3 in the journal Science Advances. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 3 Jan. 2024 Moore, who’s been covering the Cambrian explosion in chip architectures for AI and other alternative computing modalities since the mid-teens, notes that, like the robotics challenge, DARPA was the initial driver. IEEE Spectrum, 2 Jan. 2024 The evolution of multicellularity led to the Cambrian explosion, a period more than 500 million years ago when large multicellular animals appeared in great diversity. Eliot Bush, Scientific American, 7 Nov. 2023 Paleontologists have been searching for Cambrian Period jellies for over a century, with some false starts along the way. Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Cambrian.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Cambrian was in 1603

Dictionary Entries Near Cambrian

Cite this Entry

“Cambrian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Cambrian. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Cambrian

adjective
Cam·​bri·​an ˈkam-brē-ən How to pronounce Cambrian (audio) ˈkām- How to pronounce Cambrian (audio)
: 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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