brontosaurus

noun

bron·​to·​sau·​rus ˌbrän-tə-ˈsȯr-əs How to pronounce brontosaurus (audio)
variants or less commonly brontosaur
ˈbrän-tə-ˌsȯr How to pronounce brontosaurus (audio)
: any of a genus (Apatosaurus) of very large sauropod dinosaurs of the Late Jurassic : apatosaurus

Note: The name brontosaurus continues to be commonly used for these dinosaurs even though their former genus name (Brontosaurus) is considered invalid.

Examples of brontosaurus 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.
Within a matter of moments, the two of them were fighting each other in the city room like a stegosaurus and a brontosaurus in some sort of Jurassic Park scenario. — Frank Digiacomo, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024 In 1967, a display of life-size model dinosaurs, including a remarkable five-ton brontosaurus. — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026 Towering over walkways and soaring overhead, a life-size cast of prehistoric giants will take over the grounds — from a pterosaur perched for flight to a sprawling brontosaurus and a fearsome Tyrannosaurus rex. — Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2026 His sweeping theme for Jurassic Park accompanies the first view of a herd of brontosauruses, matching the wide-eyed wonder of Sam Neill and Laura Dern beat for beat. — Alex Galbraith, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for brontosaurus

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek brontē thunder + sauros lizard; akin to Greek bremein to roar

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of brontosaurus was in 1883

Rhymes for brontosaurus

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Browse Nearby Words

Brontops
brontosaurus
brontothere
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Cite this Entry

“Brontosaurus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brontosaurus. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

brontosaurus

noun
bron·​to·​sau·​rus ˌbränt-ə-ˈsȯr-əs How to pronounce brontosaurus (audio)
variants also brontosaur
ˈbränt-ə-ˌsȯ(ə)r How to pronounce brontosaurus (audio)
: any of several very large four-footed plant-eating dinosaurs
Etymology

derived from Greek brontē "thunder" and Greek sauros "lizard"

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