mastodon
1 synonyms and 0 antonyms for mastodon, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An extinct elephant-like mammal that lived until roughly the end of the last ice age.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
Coined in 1806 by French naturalist Georges Cuvier from Greek masto- ("breast") plus odon ("tooth"), describing the nipple-shaped bumps on the animal's molars.
Full origin of mastodon →Frequently asked questions
What does “mastodon” mean?
The word “mastodon” means an extinct elephant-like mammal that lived until roughly the end of the last ice age. In plain terms, a prehistoric relative of the elephant, or (informally) anything huge and clunky.
How do you pronounce “mastodon”?
“Mastodon” is pronounced MAS-tuh-don (/ˈmæs.tə.dɑn/ in IPA).
How do you use “mastodon” in a sentence?
Here is “mastodon” used in a sentence: “Archaeologists uncovered mastodon bones at the dig site.”
What part of speech is “mastodon”?
“Mastodon” is a noun.
Where does the word “mastodon” come from?
The word “mastodon” dates back to around 1806 and comes from French. Coined in 1806 by French naturalist Georges Cuvier from Greek masto- ("breast") plus odon ("tooth"), describing the nipple-shaped bumps on the animal's molars.
How many meanings does “mastodon” have?
“Mastodon” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an extinct elephant-like mammal that lived until roughly the end of the last ice age.