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Definition of mosasaur
mosasaur
/ˈmoʊzəˌsɔːr/
mo · sa · saur
Plural:mosasaurs
•Adjective:mosasaurian
mosasaur Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
7
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
mosasaur Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
An extinct, large carnivorous marine reptile of the Late Cretaceous period, distinguished by a long streamlined body, paddle-like flippers, and a powerful tail for swimming.
Example
"The natural history museum unveiled a spectacular, fully articulated skeleton of a mosasaur suspended from the ceiling to simulate its movement through water."
Word Nuance & Usage
Although commonly associated with dinosaurs in popular media, mosasaurs are strictly classified as marine reptiles, more closely related to modern snakes and monitor lizards.
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the early 19th century from the Latin 'Mosa' (the Meuse River in the Netherlands, near where the first major fossil was found) and the Greek 'sauros' (lizard).
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Mosasaur. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/mosasaur