theropod

noun

the·​ro·​pod ˈthir-ə-ˌpäd 

plural theropods

: any of a suborder (Theropoda) of carnivorous, bipedal, saurischian dinosaurs (such as a tyrannosaur or velociraptor) having hollow, thin-walled bones and usually small forelimbs

Note: Birds are descended from one lineage of small theropods.

Examples of theropod in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The range in footprint sizes indicated that giant creatures roughly 10 meters (33 feet) tall moved in a herd with tiny theropods the size of a chicken, 32 centimeters (1 foot) tall at the hip. —CBS News, 9 Dec. 2025

Scientists recently counted 16,600 theropod tracks — more than any other trackway site — at the Carreras Pampas tracksite in Bolivia’s Torotoro National Park. —Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025

The swim tracks were likely imprinted when the theropods scratched the bottom of the water with their middle toe, resulting in grooves that appear straight or curved, like a comma, the researchers noted. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 5 Dec. 2025

The vast majority of the tracks belong to theropods – ranging from bird-sized to large, predatory individuals – with around 16,600 prints preserved. —New Atlas, 3 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Theropoda, from Greek thēr wild animal + pod-, pous foot — more at fierce, foot

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for theropod

• amphipod
• arthropod
• copepod
• decapod
• endopod
• escalade
• esplanade
• exopod
• gastropod
• goldenrod
• isopod
• overawed