1. The earliest epoch of the Cenozoic Era, lasting from approximately 66 to 56 million years ago, characterized by the recovery of life following the extinction of the dinosaurs.
Usage: geology; often capitalized

1. Of, relating to, or denoting the Paleocene epoch or its rocks and fossils.
Usage: geology; often capitalized

Examples

• The Paleocene epoch began immediately after the mass extinction event that killed the dinosaurs.
• Paleocene rocks contain fossils of early mammals that diversified after the dinosaurs disappeared.
• During the Paleocene, mammals began to occupy ecological niches previously dominated by reptiles.
• Scientists study Paleocene sediments to understand how life recovered from the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction.
• The Paleocene climate was generally warmer than the preceding Cretaceous period.