paleoecology

1 of 2

noun (1)

pa·​leo·​ecol·​o·​gy ˌpā-lē-ō-i-ˈkä-lə-jē How to pronounce paleoecology (audio)
-e-ˈkä-
: a branch of ecology that is concerned with the characteristics of ancient environments and with their relationships to ancient plants and animals
paleoecological
ˌpā-lē-ō-ˌē-kə-ˈlä-ji-kəl How to pronounce paleoecology (audio)
-ˌe-kə-
adjective
or less commonly paleoecologic
ˌpā-lē-ō-ˌē-kə-ˈlä-jik How to pronounce paleoecology (audio)
-ˌe-kə-
paleoecologist
ˌpā-lē-ō-i-ˈkä-lə-jist How to pronounce paleoecology (audio)
-e-ˈkä-
noun

paleoecologist

2 of 2

noun (2)

pa·​leo·​ecologist
: a specialist in paleoecology

Examples of paleoecology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Among these disciplines are invertebrate and vertebrate paleontology, as well as paleobotany, paleoecology and paleoclimatology. — Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 30 Mar. 2023 His own work has focused on the paleoecology of the Southwest Wilderness World Heritage Area of Tasmania (Lutruwita), more than 6,000 square kilometers of some of Australia’s most biodiverse landscapes. — Quanta Magazine, 29 Nov. 2021 An adjunct professor in anthropology at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Crockford's fields of study include evolution and paleoecology. — Author: Erica Goode, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Apr. 2018 Her fields of study include evolution and paleoecology. — Erica Goode, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2018 See All Example Sentences for paleoecology

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

paleo- + ecology

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1898, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paleoecology was in 1898

Rhymes for paleoecology

See All Rhymes for paleoecology

Browse Nearby Words

paleoecologist
paleoecology
paleoencephalon
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Cite this Entry

“Paleoecology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paleoecology. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on paleoecology

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about paleoecology

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