noun

dendrochronology

den-droh-kruh-NOL-uh-jee

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Dendrochronology (noun) means the science of dating the year a tree grew by studying the spacing of its annual growth rings. Example: “Dendrochronology allowed the team to work out when the beams in the old barn were cut.”

noun

technical The science of dating the year a tree grew by studying the spacing of its annual growth rings.

"Dendrochronology allowed the team to work out when the beams in the old barn were cut."

"She studied dendrochronology at university and now dates timber for archaeologists."

"The wide and narrow bands in the log were compared using dendrochronology."

How to use dendrochronology

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWorking out the age of wood by reading the rings a tree grew.

When to use it

It is a technical word used in science and archaeology rather than in everyday chat.

Memory tip

Break it into dendro- (tree) and chronology (dating in order of time) to remember and spell it.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

study dendrochronology dendrochronology results dating by dendrochronology a dendrochronology laboratory

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “dendrochronology” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ allowed the team to work out when the beams in the old barn were cut.

Etymology

The word is built from the prefix dendro- and the word chronology. It was formed within English from those two parts.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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tree-ring dating

Rhymes for dendrochronology

eulogy apology zoology biology ecology analogy geology trilogy etiology pedagogy mycology virology

See all rhymes for dendrochronology →

Frequently asked questions

What is dendrochronology?

Dendrochronology is the science of dating trees by the spacing between their annual growth rings. It is used in fields such as biology and archaeology.

How do you pronounce dendrochronology?

It is pronounced den-droh-kruh-NOL-uh-jee, with the stress on the fourth syllable.

Is dendrochronology countable?

No, it is an uncountable noun, so you say dendrochronology is useful rather than a dendrochronology.

What is the meaning of dendrochronology?

"dendrochronology" (noun) means the science of dating the year a tree grew by studying the spacing of its annual growth rings.