fossilize

verb

fos·​sil·​ize ˈfä-sə-ˌlīz How to pronounce fossilize (audio)
fossilized; fossilizing

transitive verb

1
: to convert into a fossil
2
: to make outmoded, rigid, or fixed

intransitive verb

: to become changed into a fossil
fossilization
ˌfä-sə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce fossilize (audio)
noun

Examples of fossilize in a Sentence

The mud helped to preserve and fossilize the wood.
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.
The environment slowed decomposition, allowing the delicate vascular network to survive long enough to become fossilized. — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026 Also, the vocal tracts and brains of our ancestors did not fossilize as they were made of soft tissue. — Hannah Little, Scientific American, 20 Sep. 2026 Even when stomped into the mud by a 17,500-pound apex predator, dinosaur footprints rarely last long enough to fossilize over millions of years. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 Sep. 2026 According to Jurassic Park scientists, the insect is believed to have fed on the blood of dinosaurs millions of years ago and became fossilized after getting stuck in the sap of a tree, dino blood included. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fossilize

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fossilize was in 1794

Rhymes for fossilize

See All Rhymes for fossilize

Browse Nearby Words

fossilization
fossilize
fossilized
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fossilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fossilize. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fossilize

verb
fos·​sil·​ize ˈfäs-ə-ˌlīz How to pronounce fossilize (audio)
fossilized; fossilizing
: to change or become changed into a fossil
fossilization
ˌfäs-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce fossilize (audio)
noun
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