name
Cretaceous
kruh-TAY-shuhs
Cretaceous (name) means the geological period from about 146 to 66 million years ago, ending with the extinction of the dinosaurs. Example: “Tyrannosaurus rex lived near the end of the Cretaceous period.”
name
1
The geological period from about 146 to 66 million years ago, ending with the extinction of the dinosaurs.
"Tyrannosaurus rex lived near the end of the Cretaceous period."
adj
1
Made of or relating to chalk.
"The cliffs are made of cretaceous limestone."
How to use Cretaceous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe dinosaur-era geological period, or (less commonly) anything chalky.
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Etymology
From Latin creta, "chalk" — named for the chalk deposits characteristic of rock formed during this period.
Rhymes for Cretaceous
See all rhymes for Cretaceous →Frequently asked questions
What does “Cretaceous” mean?
The word “Cretaceous” means the geological period from about 146 to 66 million years ago, ending with the extinction of the dinosaurs. In plain terms, the dinosaur-era geological period, or (less commonly) anything chalky.
How do you pronounce “Cretaceous”?
“Cretaceous” is pronounced kruh-TAY-shuhs (/kɹəˈteɪ.ʃəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “Cretaceous” in a sentence?
Here is “Cretaceous” used in a sentence: “Tyrannosaurus rex lived near the end of the Cretaceous period.”
What part of speech is “Cretaceous”?
Depending on how it is used, “Cretaceous” can be a name and an adjective.
Where does the word “Cretaceous” come from?
The word “Cretaceous” comes from Latin. From Latin creta, "chalk" — named for the chalk deposits characteristic of rock formed during this period.
How many meanings does “Cretaceous” have?
“Cretaceous” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the geological period from about 146 to 66 million years ago, ending with the extinction of the dinosaurs.
