What does "triassic" mean?
Of or from the geologic strata above the Permian and below the Jurassic; of or belonging to the period 250 to 200 million years ago when these strata were laid down.
Triassic
/tɹaɪˈæs.ɪk/ adj, name
adj, name ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Of or from the geologic strata above the Permian and below the Jurassic; of or belonging to the period 250 to 200 million years ago when these strata were laid down.
- Grammar: triassic is listed as adj, name.
- Nearest alternatives: early mesozoic, first mesozoic period, geologic period, period.
- Useful contrasts: Cenozoic rocks, Holocene, Holocene sediments.
- Usage evidence: The Permian–Triassic extinction event occurred about 250M years ago.
How to use "triassic"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "triassic" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "triassic" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "triassic" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "triassic" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "triassic" is acting as adj, name in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "early mesozoic" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "triassic", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Adjective
- 1 Of or from the geologic strata above the Permian and below the Jurassic; of or belonging to the period 250 to 200 million years ago when these strata were laid down. not-comparable
"“Well,” Ellie said. “We know animals have survived. Crocodiles are basically Triassic animals living in the present. Sharks are Triassic. So we know it has happened before.”"
Adjective
- 1 of or relating to or denoting the first period of the Mesozoic era wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A geologic period within the Mesozoic era, comprising lower, middle and upper epochs from about 250 to 200 million years ago.
"Fossils are particularly well described from the Carboniferous, Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods and have been found in the USA, England, Russia, Lebanon and Germany. Sites such as Lyme Regis in Dorset have particularly yielded number of Jurassic “squid” ink sacs and nodules (Doguzhaeva et al. 2004)."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"The Permian–Triassic extinction event occurred about 250M years ago."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "triassic"?
Common synonyms include: early mesozoic, first mesozoic period, geologic period, period, stratigraphic triassic, time.
How do you use "triassic" in a sentence?
The Permian–Triassic extinction event occurred about 250M years ago.
How do you pronounce "triassic"?
Pronounced /tɹaɪˈæs.ɪk/.
Etymology
From Trias (“three-layered geologic strata between the Permian and Jurassic”) < German Trias < Ancient Greek τριάς (triás, “triad”), + -ic. Coined in 1841 by geologist Friedrich August von Alberti (1795–1878).