arthropod

noun

ar·thro·pod ˈär-thrə-ˌpäd

: any of a phylum (Arthropoda) of invertebrate animals (such as insects, arachnids, and crustaceans) that have a segmented body and jointed appendages, a usually chitinous exoskeleton molted at intervals, and a dorsal anterior brain connected to a ventral chain of ganglia

arthropod adjective

arthropodan

är-ˈthrä-pə-dən

adjective

Examples of arthropod in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Dig this At first glance, the ancient fossil of a previously unknown arthropod uncovered in New York state looks like a glittering piece of jewelry. —

Ashley Strickland, CNN, 2 Nov. 2024 Fossils of arthropods are rare, because soft tissue often decays before it can be preserved. —

Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024 The original and captivating effervescence of filmic arthropods drew its strength from the events and aftermath of World War II. —

Salama Udaipurwala, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2024 The adaptability of these appendages may be one reason why there are more species of arthropods on Earth than any other group of animals. —

Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for arthropod

Word History

Etymology

from base of New Latin Arthropoda, group name, from arthro- arthro- + -poda, neuter plural of Greek -podos -pod

Note: The taxon Arthropoda, "those with jointed limbs," was introduced by the German zoologist Karl Theodor Ernst von Siebold (1804-85) in Lehrbuch der vergleichenden Anatomie, von v. Siebold und Stannius [Hermann Friedrich Stannius], Erster Teil, Wirbellose Thiere, von C. Th. v. Siebold (Berlin, 1848), p. 4. Note that the first part of the Lehrbuch was published after the second part, released in 1846, an irregularity that has resulted in Arthropoda being incorrectly dated to that year, and credited to both Stannius and von Siebold. See the discussion in Thomas A. Hegna, et al., "The correct authorship of the taxon name 'Arthropoda'," Arthropod Systematics and Phylogeny, vol. 71, no. 2 (November 19, 2013), pp. 71-74.

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of arthropod was in 1857

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Arthropod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arthropod. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

arthropod

noun

ar·thro·pod ˈär-thrə-ˌpäd

: any of a phylum of invertebrate animals (as insects, arachnids, and crustaceans) having a segmented body, jointed limbs, and a shell of chitin that is shed periodically

arthropod adjective

Last Updated: 12 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

paroxysm

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

arthropod

noun

Examples of arthropod in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near arthropod

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition