trace fossil

noun

: a fossil (as of a dinosaur footprint) that shows the activity of an animal or plant but is not formed from the organism itself

Examples of trace fossil 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.
Proterozoic fossils, dating from 2,500 million to 539 million years ago, include body imprints in fine sediments, stromatolites, trace fossils, chemical and isotopic remains. — David Bressan, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024 And trace fossils tend to focus on more terrestrial forms of motion. — Margherita Bassi, Discover Magazine, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trace fossil was in 1956

Rhymes for trace fossil

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Browse Nearby Words

trace element
trace fossil
trace horse
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Cite this Entry

“Trace fossil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trace%20fossil. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on trace fossil

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about trace fossil

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