megalosaur: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “megalosaur” mean?
A large, carnivorous, bipedal dinosaur of the Jurassic period, belonging to the family Megalosauridae.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, carnivorous, bipedal dinosaur of the Jurassic period, belonging to the family Megalosauridae.
Used informally to refer to anything or anyone perceived as very large, powerful, or primitive, often in a humorous or metaphorical sense. Also refers to the type genus Megalosaurus.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term originates from British paleontology (Megalosaurus was first described in Oxfordshire).
Connotations
UK: Slightly stronger historical association due to the original British fossil discoveries. US: May be more commonly encountered in popular dinosaur literature and media.
Frequency
Equally rare in general use in both dialects, confined to paleontology, educational contexts, and enthusiast circles.
Grammar
How to Use “megalosaur” in a Sentence
The [adjective] megalosaur [verb, past tense]...Megalosaur, a [noun phrase], was...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “megalosaur” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The fossil displayed clear megalosaur characteristics.
American English
- The site contained megalosaur bone fragments.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in paleontological research, taxonomy, and earth science literature.
Everyday
Rare; might appear in children's books, documentaries, or museum displays.
Technical
Specific term in vertebrate paleontology for a genus of Middle Jurassic theropod.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “megalosaur”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “megalosaur”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “megalosaur”
- Misspelling as 'megolasaur' or 'megolosaur'.
- Confusing it with Megalodon.
- Using it as a general term for any large dinosaur instead of the specific genus.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Megalosaurus was a real genus of large, meat-eating theropod dinosaur from the Middle Jurassic of what is now England and possibly other parts of Europe.
Estimates vary due to incomplete fossils, but Megalosaurus is thought to have been about 6 to 9 metres (20 to 30 feet) long and weighed roughly 1 to 2 tonnes.
No. Tyrannosaurus rex is a tyrannosaurid from the Late Cretaceous, while Megalosaurus is from the Middle Jurassic. They are in different families within the theropod subgroup.
It was the first dinosaur genus to be given a formal scientific name and description (by William Buckland in 1824), marking the beginning of dinosaur paleontology as a science.
A large, carnivorous, bipedal dinosaur of the Jurassic period, belonging to the family Megalosauridae.
Megalosaur is usually technical/scientific in register.
Megalosaur: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɛɡələ(ʊ)ˌsɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛɡəloʊˌsɔːr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MEGA (very large) + LOSAUR (like 'dinosaur'). A mega-lizard.
Conceptual Metaphor
A MEGALOSAUR IS A PRIMITIVE GIANT / A MEGALOSAUR IS AN OBSOLETE POWER (e.g., 'That old mainframe computer is a real megalosaur').
Practice
Quiz
What period did the megalosaur primarily live in?