biostratigraphy
noun
bio·stra·tig·ra·phy
ˌbī-ō-strə-ˈti-grə-fē 
1
: the identification of fossils found within sedimentary rock strata as a method of determining the relative geologic age of the rock
also
: the branch of paleontology involving such identification
2
: the arrangement of fossils in rock strata
biostratigraphic
adjective
ˌbī-ō-ˌstra-tə-ˈgra-fik
Examples of biostratigraphy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Outside of the Bighorn Basin, however, biostratigraphy becomes more difficult.
—
Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 26 June 2025
Researchers also used biostratigraphy, which is the study of how fossils appear, proliferate and disappear throughout the rock record, to establish relative ages.
—Erin Dimaggio, Smithsonian, 13 June 2019
Paleontologists still commonly use biostratigraphy to date fossils, often in combination with paleomagnetism and tephrochronology.
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 31 May 2016
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Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 26 June 2025
Researchers also used biostratigraphy, which is the study of how fossils appear, proliferate and disappear throughout the rock record, to establish relative ages.
—Erin Dimaggio, Smithsonian, 13 June 2019
Paleontologists still commonly use biostratigraphy to date fossils, often in combination with paleomagnetism and tephrochronology.
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 31 May 2016
Cite this Entry
“Biostratigraphy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biostratigraphy. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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