Logo
dictionary thesaurus

deinonychus

noun
dei·​non·​y·​chus | \ (ˌ)dī-ˈnä-ni-kəs How to pronounce deinonychus (audio) \

Definition of deinonychus

: any of a genus (Deinonychus) of small bipedal carnivorous theropod dinosaurs from the Cretaceous having a very large sharp claw on the second digit of both hind feet

Examples of deinonychus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Outside the academy, the 12-foot-tall pink orchid mantis next to the double-deinonychuses is more than just a pretty decoration. — Lauren Mccutcheon, Philly.com, "Where to take your kids in Philadelphia this summer," 6 June 2018 This finding helps show that the raptor group included not only terrestrial killing machines like deinonychus and potentially flying members like microraptor, but also swimmers. — Nicholas St. Fleur, New York Times, "This Duck-Like Dinosaur Could Swim. That Isn’t the Strangest Thing About it.," 6 Dec. 2017

First Known Use of deinonychus

1969, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for deinonychus

New Latin, from Greek deinos terrifying + -onychos -clawed (from onych-, onyx claw, nail) — more at dire, nail

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

Yankee

play

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!