noun
mastodon
MAS-tuh-don
Mastodon (noun) means an extinct elephant-like mammal that lived until roughly the end of the last ice age. Example: “Archaeologists uncovered mastodon bones at the dig site.”
noun
1
An extinct elephant-like mammal that lived until roughly the end of the last ice age.
"Archaeologists uncovered mastodon bones at the dig site."
2
Something enormous or unwieldy, used figuratively.
"The old printing press sat in the corner like a mastodon."
How to use mastodon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA prehistoric relative of the elephant, or (informally) anything huge and clunky.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- mastodons
Fill the gap
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Archaeologists uncovered _____ bones at the dig site.
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.
Class of 1806
mastodon joined the language around 1806.
See the full Class of 1806 →
Synonyms
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mastodont
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.
