pterodactyl
noun
ptero·dac·tyl
ˌter-ə-ˈdak-tᵊl 
: any of various pterosaurs (suborder Pterodactyloidea) of the Late Jurassic and Cretaceous having a rudimentary tail and a beak with reduced dentition
broadly
: pterosaur
Examples of pterodactyl in a Sentence
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Over the years, Anderson said, many have confused the sculpture for a pterodactyl, which is a smaller but perhaps better-known type of pterosaur.
—
Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2024
This dinosaur set features Lego pieces that transform into a pterodactyl, a triceratops, a T-rex figurine, and a buildable rib cage.
—Ali Faccenda, Peoplemag, 7 Sep. 2024
On the wall of the family bedroom, next to a row of medals, hung one son’s artwork: drawings of a Spinosaurus and a T-rex, a pterodactyl and a dragon, each carefully labeled in English.
—Bhadra Sharma, New York Times, 11 June 2024
On the left, Wyatt has two temporary tattoos, one of a pterodactyl and another of a sea animal.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024
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Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2024
This dinosaur set features Lego pieces that transform into a pterodactyl, a triceratops, a T-rex figurine, and a buildable rib cage.
—Ali Faccenda, Peoplemag, 7 Sep. 2024
On the wall of the family bedroom, next to a row of medals, hung one son’s artwork: drawings of a Spinosaurus and a T-rex, a pterodactyl and a dragon, each carefully labeled in English.
—Bhadra Sharma, New York Times, 11 June 2024
On the left, Wyatt has two temporary tattoos, one of a pterodactyl and another of a sea animal.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pterodactyl
Dictionary Entries Near pterodactyl
Cite this Entry
“Pterodactyl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pterodactyl. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pterodactyl
noun
ptero·dac·tyl
ˌter-ə-ˈdak-tᵊl
: any of various extinct flying reptiles having a featherless membrane extending from the body along the arms and forming the supporting surface of the wings
Etymology
from scientific Latin Pterodactylus "pterodactyl," from Greek pteron "wing" and Greek daktylos "finger"
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