Search Dictionary
Definition of brontosaurus

brontosaurus

/ˌbrɑːn.təˈsɔːr.əs/
bron · to · sau · rus
Plural:brontosauruses
•
Adjective:brontosaurian
JUMP TO:

brontosaurus Lexical Profile

brontosaurus Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A massive, herbivorous sauropod dinosaur of the Late Jurassic period, native to North America, characterized by a long neck, a long whip-like tail, and a relatively small head.

Synonyms
View all synonyms for brontosaurus

Word Nuance & Usage

For over a century, the brontosaurus was widely considered by scientists to be an invalid name for the Apatosaurus due to a 19th-century bone-mixing error, but a major 2015 study reinstated it as a distinct and valid genus.

• Rhymes for brontosaurus

• Nearby Words

brome
bromeliad
bromo
brontosaurus
bronx
bronzewing
brooch

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in 1879 by American paleontologist Othniel Charles Marsh, from Greek 'brontē' (thunder) and 'sauros' (lizard), literally meaning 'thunder lizard' due to its massive size.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Brontosaurus. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 17, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/brontosaurus
Wordmom is your complete guide to the English language. Whether you're looking up a definition, searching for the perfect synonym, or unscrambling letters for a word game, our comprehensive suite of tools is designed to help you find the right word, every time.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE®, Words With Friends®, Wordle®, and related game titles or tournament codes are registered trademarks of their respective owners (including Hasbro, Mattel, Zynga, The New York Times, NASPA, and WESPA). Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes, not affiliated with, sponsored, or endorsed by these entities. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use for compatibility.