What does pteranodon mean?
Pteranodon is an extinct genus of large, crest-headed pterosaurs that lived during the Late Cretaceous. Its name refers to the animal's winged, toothless form, but its most striking feature was the elongated crest extending backward from the skull. Pteranodons were flying reptiles, not dinosaurs, and they flew on wings formed by a membrane rather than feathers. Their long, toothless beaks and fossil evidence of fish remains indicate a predominantly fish-eating lifestyle. In modern usage, “pteranodon” can refer to the genus as a whole or to an individual member, while “pterodactyl” is often used loosely for pterosaurs generally. Scientific writing normally capitalizes the genus name, Pteranodon, and follows the convention of italicizing it in print. The word is useful because it names one of the best-known pterosaurs while remaining scientifically distinct from the broader terms pterosaur and pterodactyl.
nounAn extinct genus of large, crest-headed pterosaurs that lived during the Late Cretaceous. Pteranodons had long toothless beaks and membrane-supported wings, and were flying reptiles rather than dinosaurs.
- An extinct genus of large, crest-headed pterosaurs of the Late Cretaceous, characterized by a toothless beak, a prominent backward-projecting headcrest, and membranous wings.
"The fossil remains of a pteranodon suggest that it fed mainly on fish."
"The museum's natural-history gallery includes a cast of a pteranodon skeleton."
"Fossilized stomach contents from a pteranodon have revealed a diet that included fish."
The regular English plural is “pteranodons”; “pteranodonts” is also encountered in paleontology and popular writing.
"The researchers compared the anatomy of several pteranodons from fossils found in North America."
Its name means “winged toothless one”—and it proves that flying reptiles need not be dinosaurs.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of pteranodon
The name was coined by the British anatomist Richard Owen in 1861 from Greek pterón, meaning “wing,” and an-odontos, meaning “toothless,” in reference to the animal's toothless jaws. Its first element is shared with related words such as pterodactyl and pterosaur, while its second element is also represented in anodont. The resulting name was adopted as the genus name Pteranodon.
How pteranodon is actually used
Neutral scientific and educational register. In formal taxonomic writing, the genus name is capitalized and usually italicized.
Easily confused with pteranodon
Pteranodon is a specific genus of Late Cretaceous pterosaur, whereas “pterodactyl” is often used loosely for pterosaurs in general and is also the name of a separate Jurassic genus.