fossilize

1 of 2

verb

fos·​sil·​ize ˈfä-sə-ˌlīz 

fossilized; fossilizing

transitive verb

1

: to convert into a fossil

2

: to make outmoded, rigid, or fixed

intransitive verb

: to become changed into a fossil

fossilization

ˌfä-sə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

fossilization

2 of 2

noun

fos·​sil·​iza·​tion

variants also British fossilisation

ˌ⸗⸗lə̇ˈzāshən, 

-ˌlīˈz-

plural -s

: the process of fossilizing or becoming fossilized

Examples of fossilize in a Sentence

Verb

The mud helped to preserve and fossilize the wood.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The remaining bones were then buried and fossilized over tens of millions of years. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 15 July 2026

Those details allow scientists to reconstruct ancient ecosystems, understand how an animal lived and died, and interpret how its remains became fossilized. — Kristi Curry Rogers, The Conversation, 14 July 2026

Ancient animal and plant remains within were fossilized by intense heat and pressure, transformed into coal and oil deposits. — Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026

In 2014, Attenborough died at the age of 90 — but he will forever be fossilized in our hearts. — Huntley Woods, Entertainment Weekly, 11 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

International Scientific Vocabulary fossilize + -ation

First Known Use

Verb

1794, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1817, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fossilize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

fossilize

verb

fos·​sil·​ize ˈfäs-ə-ˌlīz 

fossilized; fossilizing

: to change or become changed into a fossil

fossilization

ˌfäs-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun