fossilization, fossilisation (UK) 1. The process of fossilizing a plant or animal that existed in some earlier age. 2. The process of being turned to stone. 3. Becoming inflexible or out of date. Fossilization is considered a rare occurrence because most components of formerly-living things tend to decompose relatively quickly following death. ... Found on http://www.wordinfo.info/words/index/info/view_unit/851/