quaternary

1 of 2

adjective

qua·​ter·​na·​ry ˈkwä-tər-ˌner-ē How to pronounce quaternary (audio)
ˈkwä-tə-,
kwə-ˈtər-nə-rē How to pronounce quaternary (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or consisting of four units or members
b
: of, relating to, or being a number system with a base of four
2
capitalized : of, relating to, or being the geologic period from the end of the Tertiary to the present time or the corresponding system of rocks see Geologic Time Table
3
: consisting of, containing, or being an atom bonded to four other atoms

quaternary

2 of 2

noun

plural quaternaries
1
capitalized : the Quaternary period or system of rocks
2
: a member of a group fourth in order or rank

Examples of quaternary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
At Providence Swedish, an urban, tertiary and quaternary medical facility, her patients can easily access diabetes education, genetic and nutrition counseling. Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025 Tenet Healthcare offers tertiary (specialized) care such as cardiothoracic surgery, complex spinal surgery, neonatal intensive care and neurosurgery, along with quaternary care (a higher level of specialized care). Charles Rotblut, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
Today's PT lumber is treated with safer, less toxic chemicals, such as alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) or copper azole. Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 6 June 2017 See All Example Sentences for quaternary

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin quaternarius, from quaterni four each

First Known Use

Adjective

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of quaternary was in 1605

Cite this Entry

“Quaternary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quaternary. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

Quaternary

adjective
Qua·​ter·​na·​ry
ˈkwät-ə(r)-ˌner-ē,
kwə-ˈtər-nə-rē
: of, relating to, or being the period of geological history from the end of the Tertiary period to the present time or the corresponding system of rocks see geologic time
Quaternary noun

Medical Definition

quaternary

1 of 2 adjective
: consisting of, containing, or being an atom bonded to four other atoms

quaternary

2 of 2 noun
plural quaternaries
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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