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Glite Dictionary
mastodont

mastodont

1 9.9
An extinct animal like an elephant with pointed back teeth for eating leaves
  • noun
  • /ˈmæstəˌdɑnt/
: mastodonte
  • The mastodont is known for its distinct molar teeth, which differ from those of other prehistoric elephants.

Examples

  • Scientists believe the mastodont went extinct due to climate change and human activity.

  • Unlike the mammoth, the mastodont had cusp-shaped molars suited for browsing.

  • Fossils of the mastodont have been unearthed in North America and Europe.

  • The mastodont roamed the earth millions of years ago.

  • Did you know that mastodonts are closely related to modern elephants?

  • A herd of mastodonts roamed the ancient landscape during the Pleistocene epoch.

  • Scientists discovered fossilized remains of a mastodont in a remote area of North America.

Synonyms

mastodon
vsmastodont
7 9.3

A large extinct animal like an elephant with pointed teeth

has identical meaning but uses an alternate spelling
Mastodon
vsmastodont
  • Specialized
7 9.9

A large extinct animal like an elephant with long tusks that lived long ago

focuses on the genus level without mentioning the family
Mammut
vsmastodont
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A very large animal like an elephant that lived long ago and is now extinct

covers a broader time span beginning earlier in the Miocene

Compounds

American mastodont
  • US
9.9

A large extinct animal like an elephant with long tusks that lived in North America during the Ice Age

Surface Forms

mastodont singular
mastodonts plural

Etymology

The word mastodont comes from Greek parts masto- meaning 'breast' and -dont meaning 'tooth', because its back teeth had rounded, nipple-like bumps. That's why the name fits this extinct, elephant-like animal known for those unusual teeth.