Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
fossil record
noun
/ˈfɑsəl ˈrɛkərd/
Definition
The fossil record refers to the collection of fossils that provide evidence of the history of life on Earth.
Examples
- The fossil record reveals the evolution of species over millions of years.
- Scientists study the fossil record to understand ancient ecosystems.
- Some gaps in the fossil record make it challenging to reconstruct evolutionary pathways.
Meaning
It captures the variety of organisms that have existed in various geological periods and shows how they have changed over time.
Synonyms
- paleontological record
- geological record
- fossil history
