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Glite Dictionary
🌍 Recent geological era 🌍 Current geological era
Cenozoic

Cenozoic

9.9
The current geological era beginning about 66 million years ago
  • noun
  • /ˌsɛnəˈzoʊɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Cenozoico
  • The Cenozoic is marked by significant developments in mammalian and avian life.

Examples

  • The extinction of the dinosaurs marked the beginning of the Cenozoic era.

  • The Cenozoic era began after the extinction of the dinosaurs.

  • Geological evidence from the Cenozoic provides insight into how Earth's climate has changed.

  • Many modern mammals evolved during the Cenozoic period.

  • Many mammals evolved during the Cenozoic period.

  • Scientists study fossil records from the Cenozoic to understand the evolution of modern animals.

  • During the Cenozoic era, mammals became the dominant land animals following the extinction of the dinosaurs.

Synonyms

Age of Mammals
vsCenozoic
  • Specialized
1 5.8

A long time in Earth's history since dinosaurs died when mammals became the main land animals

is the general geological era term that includes broader developments like birds
Cenozoic era
vsCenozoic
  • Specialized
7.9

A recent time in Earth's history since about 66 million years ago when mammals and birds became the main animals

is the shorter label for that same current geological era

Compounds

Cenozoic era
  • Specialized
7.9

A recent time in Earth's history since about 66 million years ago when mammals and birds became the main animals

Surface Forms

Cenozoic singular
Cenozoics plural

Morphology

Cenozoic = ceno + zoic

Formed from specialized Greek combining forms (ceno- 'recent' + -zoic 'pertaining to life/animals') used in geological terminology, which is not transparent to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Cenozoic gets its name from Greek Ceno- 'new' and -zoic from zoe 'life', so it means 'new life'. Think of a zoo to remember -zoic is about life, and that is why the Cenozoic is the current era when mammals and birds became dominant.