Definition of dinosaur
1 : any of a group (Dinosauria) of extinct often very large chiefly terrestrial carnivorous or herbivorous reptiles of the Mesozoic era
2 : any of various large extinct reptiles (such as ichthyosaurs) other than the true dinosaurs
3 : one that is impractically large, out-of-date, or obsolete The factory is now a rusting dinosaur.
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Examples of dinosaur in a sentence
The old factory is now a rusting dinosaur.
The character she plays is a dinosaur—a former beauty queen who is living in the past.
Origin and Etymology of dinosaur
New Latin Dinosaurus, genus name, from Greek deinos terrifying + sauros lizard — more at dire
First Known Use: 1841
DINOSAUR Defined for English Language Learners
dinosaur
playDefinition of dinosaur for English Language Learners
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: one of many reptiles that lived on Earth millions of years ago
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: someone or something that is no longer useful or current : an obsolete or out-of-date person or thing
DINOSAUR Defined for Kids
dinosaur
playDefinition of dinosaur for Students
: any of a group of extinct often very large mostly land-dwelling reptiles that lived millions of years ago
Learn More about dinosaur
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See words that rhyme with dinosaur Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for dinosaur Spanish Central: Translation of dinosaur Nglish: Translation of dinosaur for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of dinosaur for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dinosaur
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