plesiosaur

noun ple·si·o·saur \ ˈplē-sē-ə-ˌsȯr , -zē- \

|Updated on: 24 Jun 2018

Definition of plesiosaur

: any of an order or suborder (Plesiosauria) of large carnivorous marine reptiles of the Mesozoic with dorsoventrally flattened bodies and limbs modified into flippers

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Recent Examples of plesiosaur from the Web

Fossil evidence strongly suggests that, like nonavian dinosaurs, plesiosaurs went extinct no later than 66 million years ago.

— michael greshko, National Geographic, "Loch Ness Monster Hunters to Try DNA Search? Get the Facts.," 23 May 2018
Some cryptozoologists have argued that Nessie is a plesiosaur, a type of long-necked marine reptile that lived during the age of dinosaurs.

— michael greshko, National Geographic, "Loch Ness Monster Hunters to Try DNA Search? Get the Facts.," 23 May 2018
One of the more far-fetched theories is that Nessie is a long-necked plesiosaur that somehow survived the period when dinosaurs became extinct.

— Washington Post, "Legend of Loch Ness Monster will be tested with DNA samples," 23 May 2018
One of the more far-fetched theories is that Nessie is a long-necked plesiosaur that somehow survived the period when dinosaurs became extinct.

— nick perry, BostonGlobe.com, "The legend of the Loch Ness Monster will be tested with DNA samples," 23 May 2018
One of the more far-fetched theories is that Nessie is a long-necked plesiosaur that somehow survived the period when dinosaurs became extinct.

— Fox News, "Legend of Loch Ness Monster will be tested with DNA samples," 23 May 2018
Person said the plesiosaur was identified by its morphology.

— jack dura, The Seattle Times, "80 million-year-old remains prepped for North Dakota display," 15 Jan. 2018
The plesiosaur to be displayed will be positioned by a mosasaur specimen.

— jack dura, The Seattle Times, "80 million-year-old remains prepped for North Dakota display," 15 Jan. 2018
The paleontologist released a second paper today in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology detailing his research on a plesiosaur fossil, the oldest of its kind.

— sarah gibbens, National Geographic, "Largest 'Sea Dragon' Fossil Accidentally Discovered in Museum," 28 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'plesiosaur.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.