fossilize

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

Examples of fossilize in a Sentence

The mud helped to preserve and fossilize the wood.

Recent Examples on the Web

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

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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