fossilize

/ˌfɑsəˈlaɪz/

Other forms: fossilized; fossilizing; fossilizes

When something fossilizes, it becomes a fossil, meaning it leaves an impression in the Earth that far outlives the organism.

Fossils are remnants left in rock of a living creature: the remnants have been petrified over many years and they leave an impression of what the animal was like. Fossilizing is a word for this process, which happens slowly over time. If dinosaurs had not fossilized, we wouldn't know much about what dinosaurs were like. The most likely parts of a creature to fossilize are hard parts like bones and shells.

Definitions of fossilize

1. verb

   convert to a fossil
   “The little animals fossilized and are now embedded in the limestone”

   synonyms: fossilise

   types:

   lapidify, petrify

   change into stone

   type of:

   convert

   change the nature, purpose, or function of something
2. verb

   become mentally inflexible
   synonyms: fossilise

   type of:

   age, get on, maturate, mature, senesce

   grow old or older