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
adjective
ˌbī-ō-ˌstra-tə-ˈgra-fik
Examples of biostratigraphy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Lucas has spent 30 years assembling his own Triassic timeline using biostratigraphy.
—
Douglas Fox, Discover Magazine, 2 Apr. 2015
Paleontologists still commonly use biostratigraphy to date fossils, often in combination with paleomagnetism and tephrochronology.
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 31 May 2016
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
Douglas Fox, Discover Magazine, 2 Apr. 2015
Paleontologists still commonly use biostratigraphy to date fossils, often in combination with paleomagnetism and tephrochronology.
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 31 May 2016
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
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'biostratigraphy.' 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
International Scientific Vocabulary
First Known Use
1921, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near biostratigraphy
Cite this Entry
“Biostratigraphy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biostratigraphy. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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