Paleogene

Meanings

1. 1proper nounpropertechnical

   The geologic period that began about 66 million years ago and ended about 23 million years ago, when mammals spread widely.

   Grammar: Capitalized and used with the: during the Paleogene.

   Patterns

   • during the Paleogene
   • in the Paleogene

   Early whales appeared during the Paleogene.

   Rocks from the Paleogene hold fossils of ancient mammals.

   The Paleogene began after the extinction that ended the age of dinosaurs.

2. 2adjectivebefore a nountechnical

   Belonging to or dating from that period.

   Grammar: Used before a noun: Paleogene rocks, Paleogene fossils.

   Patterns

   • Paleogene rocks

   The cliff is made of Paleogene rocks.

   Scientists studied Paleogene fossils from the river bed.

Common combinations

during the Paleogene

Grasslands began to spread during the Paleogene.

Paleogene rocks

Paleogene rocks are found throughout the basin.

the Paleogene period

The Paleogene period followed the Cretaceous.

Paleogene fossils

The museum has a large display of Paleogene fossils.

the Paleogene epoch

Each Paleogene epoch left its own mark on the rocks.

Synonyms and how they differ

Palaeogene

Palaeogene is the British spelling and refers to exactly the same period.

Early Tertiary

Early Tertiary is an older, informal grouping that overlaps with the Paleogene but is not an official geologic unit.

Word family

Paleocene proper noun

the first epoch of the Paleogene

Eocene proper noun

the second epoch of the Paleogene

Oligocene proper noun

the third and last epoch of the Paleogene

paleontology noun

the science of ancient life from fossils

Commonly confused: Paleogene or Neogene?

Practice

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