cicada

noun

ci·​ca·​da sə-ˈkā-də How to pronounce cicada (audio) -ˈkä- How to pronounce cicada (audio)
sī-ˈkā-
plural cicadas also cicadae sə-ˈkā-(ˌ)dē How to pronounce cicada (audio)
-ˈkä-;
sī-ˈkā-
: any of a family (Cicadidae) of homopterous insects which have a stout body, wide blunt head, and large transparent wings and the males of which produce a loud buzzing noise usually by stridulation

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Members of a family of insects, cicadas have a stout body, wide blunt head, two pairs of transparent wings, prominent compound eyes, and three simple eyes. Most of the 1,500 known species are found in tropical deserts, grasslands, and forests. Males produce loud noises by vibrating membranes near the base of the abdomen. Most North. American cicadas produce rhythmical ticks, buzzes, or whines, though the "song" of some species is musical. Periodic cicadas, including the well-known 17-year cicada (often erroneously called the 17-year locust) and 13-year cicada appear in regular cycles. Their larvae burrow into the ground, where they remain for 13 or 17 years, feeding on juices sucked from roots. Then they emerge in large numbers to live aboveground as adults for a single week.

Examples of cicada 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.
The sounds of millions of singing cicadas will soon fill the air. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 15 Mar. 2025 Read Next Local The next brood of cicadas is going to pop up soon around NC. Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2025 Or just pay close attention to the time-lapse footage of emerging cicadas or the cavorting manatees or the Darwin’s rhea, a South American ostrich that happens to be from one of the few species in the documentary that let males raise their kids. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Feb. 2025 The recording ends with some cicadas and the wind blowing through the brush. Lauren Markham, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cicada

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, genus name, from Latin, cicada

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cicada was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Cicada.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cicada. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

cicada

noun
ci·​ca·​da sə-ˈkād-ə How to pronounce cicada (audio) -ˈkäd- How to pronounce cicada (audio)
: any of a family of stout-bodied insects that have a wide blunt head, large transparent wings, and the males of which make a loud buzzing noise

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