relative dating

noun

A method of determining the age of a fossil by comparing its placement with that of fossils in other layers of rock.

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Meanings

nounrelative dating (plural relative datings)

plural relative datings

  1. uncountableA method of determining the age of a fossil by comparing its placement with that of fossils in other layers of rock.
  2. countableAn act of so doing.
Cite this entry
APA

relative dating. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/relative%20dating

MLA

“relative dating.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/relative%20dating. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “relative dating,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/relative%20dating.

Source: relative dating on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.