diagenesis
noun
dia·gen·e·sis
ˌdī-ə-ˈje-nə-səs 
1
: recombination or rearrangement of constituents (as of a chemical or mineral) resulting in a new product
2
: the conversion (as by compaction or chemical reaction) of sediment into rock
Examples of diagenesis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The variety of organic molecules observed suggests that some chemical diversity has been preserved in ancient Martian sediments despite billions of years of diagenesis (the process by which sediment turns to rock) and radiation exposure.
—
Leonard David, Space.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Depositional setting and early diagenesis of the dinosaur eggshell-bearing Aren Fm at Bastus, Late Campanian, south-central Pyrenees
Scientific Reports.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 15 May 2024
Mosasaurs, limpets, or diagenesis: How Placenticeras shells got punctured.
—Brian Switek, WIRED, 11 Apr. 2012
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Leonard David, Space.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Depositional setting and early diagenesis of the dinosaur eggshell-bearing Aren Fm at Bastus, Late Campanian, south-central Pyrenees
Scientific Reports.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 15 May 2024
Mosasaurs, limpets, or diagenesis: How Placenticeras shells got punctured.
—Brian Switek, WIRED, 11 Apr. 2012
Cite this Entry
“Diagenesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diagenesis. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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