Phrase guide

fossil record

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The collective record of biological development that is reflected in the fossilized remains of organisms through geological history.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Paleontologists study the fossil record.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The record of preserved evidence for a single species or taxon.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Trilobites have an extensive fossil record.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Afrikaans: fossielrekord — the collective record of fossils
  • Galician: rexistro fósil — the collective record of fossils
  • Italian: registro fossile — the collective record of fossils
  • Russian: рее́стр окаменелостей (rejéstr okamenelostej) — the collective record of fossils
  • Spanish: registro fósil — the collective record of fossils
  • Ukrainian: викопні знахідки (vykopni znaxidky) — the collective record of fossils