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

Mollusks are great subjects for this kind of study as their hard shells fossilize easily, giving scientists ample evidence from this period in Earth’s history. —Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 4 June 2025

The company plans to reuse a key component of the launch vehicle for the first time. — An ancient reptile relative made tiny clawed footprints that were fossilized in 356 million-year-old rock. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 25 May 2025

One day Dave whacked the laurel hedge down to sturdy stumps, like dinosaurs fossilized midstride. —Murr Brewster, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Apr. 2025

An unusual chemical alchemy may have been responsible for the unique way Sue was fossilized, the researchers hypothesized. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for fossilize

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

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