paleoanthropology

noun

pa·​leo·​an·​thro·​pol·​o·​gy ˌpā-lē-ō-ˌan(t)-thrə-ˈpä-lə-jē 

especially British ˌpa-

: a branch of anthropology dealing with fossil hominids

paleoanthropological

ˌpā-lē-ō-ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

especially British ˌpa-

adjective

paleoanthropologist

ˌpā-lē-ō-ˌan(t)-thrə-ˈpä-lə-jist 

especially British ˌpa-

noun

Examples of paleoanthropology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But until paleoanthropology can unpick the threads of facial evolution with greater precision, the chin will continue to elude us. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

In the world of paleoanthropology, there are splitters, who emphasize the differences between fossils, and lumpers, who emphasize the similarities. —Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 26 July 2025

But two new studies — which researchers say are among the biggest paleoanthropology papers of the year — detail how scientists were able to extract genetic material from the fossil and help unravel this biological mystery. —Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 21 June 2025

Mysterious early human relatives The mountainous region of Spain where the fossils were found has been an important locale for paleoanthropology. —Katie Hunt, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

paleo- + anthropology, probably after French paléoanthropologie

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for paleoanthropology

• anesthesiology
• epidemiology
• ethnomethodology
• ethnomusicology
• gastroenterology
• immunobiology
• immunopathology
• neuropharmacology
• neurophysiology
• neuroradiology
• otolaryngology
• paleobiology