1. An extinct bird-like dinosaur from the Late Jurassic period, having feathers, wings, and a long bony tail, considered a transitional form between dinosaurs and modern birds.
Usage: paleontology; often capitalized when referring to the genus

Examples

• Archaeopteryx is one of the most important fossils in the study of evolution.
• The discovery of archaeopteryx provided evidence linking dinosaurs to birds.
• Scientists have found several well-preserved specimens of archaeopteryx in Germany.
• Archaeopteryx had both reptilian teeth and feathered wings.
• The fossil record of archaeopteryx shows characteristics of both dinosaurs and modern birds.