name
Cretaceous
kruh-TAY-shuhs
name
1
The geological period from about 146 to 66 million years ago, ending with the extinction of the dinosaurs.
"Tyrannosaurus rex lived near the end of the Cretaceous period."
adj
1
Made of or relating to chalk.
"The cliffs are made of cretaceous limestone."
How to Use Cretaceous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe dinosaur-era geological period, or (less commonly) anything chalky.
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Tyrannosaurus rex lived near the end of the _____ period.
Etymology
From Latin creta, "chalk" — named for the chalk deposits characteristic of rock formed during this period.