Definition of: Carboniferouss

(kär′bə·nif′ər·əs) adjective Geol.
Of or pertaining to a period of the Upper Paleozoic era succeeding the Devonian, characterized by the formation of extensive coal beds. In North America the Carboniferous system of strata is divided into the Mississippian, Pennsylvanian, and Permian series. See chart under GEOLOGY.