qua·ter·na·ry
ˈkwä-tər-ˌner-ē 
ˈkwä-tə-,
kwə-ˈtər-nə-rē
1
a
: of, relating to, or consisting of four units or members
b
: of, relating to, or being a number system with a base of four
2
capitalized
: of, relating to, or being the geologic period from the end of the Tertiary to the present time or the corresponding system of rocks see Geologic Time Table
3
: consisting of, containing, or being an atom bonded to four other atoms
plural quaternaries
1
capitalized
: the Quaternary period or system of rocks
2
: a member of a group fourth in order or rank
Examples of quaternary in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 8 Aug. 2023
The boys are cousins but more genetically similar to siblings and are considered quaternary twins.
—Wendy Grossman Kantor, Peoplemag, 4 Aug. 2023
One system is binary and the other is quaternary, but the two have a surprising amount of conceptual overlap; both systems can properly be thought of as digital.
—Rob Toews, Forbes, 16 July 2023
Tetro says to look for active ingredients such as bleach, hydrogen peroxide, quaternary ammonium chloride, and phenolics.
—Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2023
The Sherford site might be the most significant discovery of its kind since the Joint Mitnor cave was found in Devon in 1938, says Danielle Schreve, a professor of quaternary science at Royal Holloway University of London who helped supervise the recovery work, to the Guardian’s Steven Morris.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Feb. 2022
The injury types are numbered for easy reference: primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary.
—Rachel Lance, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Mar. 2020
Transfers from other hospital systems are limited to those requiring quaternary care and must be coordinated through the system’s Mission Control.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 6 Jan. 2022
Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 6 June 2017
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Adjective
This quaternary ammonium salt acts as a formaldehyde releaser.
—Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 8 Aug. 2023
The boys are cousins but more genetically similar to siblings and are considered quaternary twins.
—Wendy Grossman Kantor, Peoplemag, 4 Aug. 2023
One system is binary and the other is quaternary, but the two have a surprising amount of conceptual overlap; both systems can properly be thought of as digital.
—Rob Toews, Forbes, 16 July 2023
Tetro says to look for active ingredients such as bleach, hydrogen peroxide, quaternary ammonium chloride, and phenolics.
—Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2023
The Sherford site might be the most significant discovery of its kind since the Joint Mitnor cave was found in Devon in 1938, says Danielle Schreve, a professor of quaternary science at Royal Holloway University of London who helped supervise the recovery work, to the Guardian’s Steven Morris.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Feb. 2022
The injury types are numbered for easy reference: primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary.
—Rachel Lance, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Mar. 2020
Transfers from other hospital systems are limited to those requiring quaternary care and must be coordinated through the system’s Mission Control.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 6 Jan. 2022
Noun
Today's PT lumber is treated with safer, less toxic chemicals, such as alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) or copper azole.
—Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 6 June 2017
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'quaternary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing quaternary
Dictionary Entries Near quaternary
Cite this Entry
“Quaternary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quaternary. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
Quaternary
adjective
Qua·ter·na·ry
ˈkwät-ə(r)-ˌner-ē,
kwə-ˈtər-nə-rē
: of, relating to, or being the period of geological history from the end of the Tertiary period to the present time or the corresponding system of rocks see geologic time
Quaternary
noun
Medical Definition
quaternary
1 of 2 adjective
qua·ter·na·ry
ˈkwät-ə(r)-ˌner-ē
kwə-ˈtər-nə-rē
kwə-ˈtər-nə-rē
: consisting of, containing, or being an atom bonded to four other atoms
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