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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Biostratigraphy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biostratigraphy. Accessed 21 Jun. 2025.
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