triceratops
noun
Did you know?
The name triceratops, meaning literally "three-horned face", refers to the two horns above its eyes and the smaller third horn on its snout. Just as striking was the frilled hood or ruff that rose behind its head, though no one is quite sure what it was for. The triceratops was one of the last dinosaurs to evolve and also one of the last to become extinct. It could reach lengths of 30 feet and could stand nearly eight feet high. Despite its ferocious looks and three-foot-long horns, the triceratops was actually a vegetarian.
Examples of triceratops in a Sentence
Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2023
That layer captured the aftermath of an event 66 million years ago, when something caused a mass extinction, slaying 75 percent of the species on the planet, including T. rex and triceratops.
—Sarah Scoles, Discover Magazine, 27 July 2016
During this time, the ceratopsidae family had the greatest number of species, including the triceratops.
—Breanna Draxler, Discover Magazine, 17 July 2013
In it, one of his nephews petted the triceratops while the dinosaur chomped on Nalley’s lifeless arm.
—Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2022
For all the triceratops and brachiosaurs wreaking havoc on civilization, though, the franchise’s greatest special effect remains Bryce Dallas Howard’s wig.
—Vulture, 14 Feb. 2022
The most complete triceratops skeleton yet found is shown here on display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
—Breanna Draxler, Discover Magazine, 4 June 2013
That’s right — this is an Ice Age fossil site, and experts haven’t uncovered any remains of T. rexes, triceratops or other non-avian dinosaurs.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2022
In June, while traveling through Arkansas with his nephews, Nalley spotted a triceratops statue at a roadside attraction.
—Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'triceratops.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
1890, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near triceratops
Cite this Entry
“Triceratops.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/triceratops. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
triceratops
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on triceratops
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about triceratops
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