mesozoic: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Scientific, Academic, Educated/Formal
Quick answer
What does “mesozoic” mean?
A geological era spanning from roughly 252 to 66 million years ago, known as the 'Age of Reptiles'.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A geological era spanning from roughly 252 to 66 million years ago, known as the 'Age of Reptiles'.
Pertaining to or characteristic of the Mesozoic era. Can be used figuratively to describe something extremely ancient, outdated, or belonging to a bygone, often primitive, age.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. Capitalization conventions (Mesozoic vs. mesozoic) are identical and context-dependent.
Connotations
Identical scientific and figurative connotations in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both, confined to academic, educational, and popular science contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “mesozoic” in a Sentence
The [NOUN] dates from the Mesozoic.[NOUN] is a typical [NOUN] of Mesozoic age.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mesozoic” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The chalk cliffs contain numerous mesozoic marine fossils.
- This geological map highlights mesozoic strata in green.
American English
- The museum's new wing focuses on Mesozoic ecosystems.
- They discovered a rich mesozoic bonebed in the desert.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly used metaphorically: 'Their business model is positively Mesozoic.'
Academic
Central. Used in geology, palaeontology, evolutionary biology, and earth sciences to specify a precise geological timeframe.
Everyday
Very low. Most common in educational TV, documentaries, museums, or casual references to dinosaurs.
Technical
High. A standard stratigraphic term for the era between the Paleozoic and Cenozoic.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mesozoic”
- Misspelling as 'mezoic' or 'meszoic'.
- Incorrectly using lowercase when referring to the specific era (e.g., 'the mesozoic era').
- Confusing it with Paleozoic or Cenozoic.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods.
It comes from Greek, meaning 'middle life' (mesos = middle, zōion = animal/life).
It is capitalized when referring specifically to the geological era (the Mesozoic Era). As a general adjective (e.g., 'mesozoic reptiles'), it is often lowercase, though practice varies.
The Cretaceous–Paleogene (K–Pg) extinction event, widely believed to be caused by an asteroid impact.
A geological era spanning from roughly 252 to 66 million years ago, known as the 'Age of Reptiles'.
Mesozoic is usually scientific, academic, educated/formal in register.
Mesozoic: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɛsə(ʊ)ˈzəʊɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɛzəˈzoʊɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MESOZOIC: MESO (middle) + ZOIC (life) = the 'middle life' era, between ancient and modern life.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A LAYERED STRATA; ANTIQUITY IS DISTANCE; BEING OBSOLETE IS BEING PREHISTORIC.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a correct collocation with 'Mesozoic'?