plural radulae
ˈra-jə-ˌlē 
-ˌlī
also radulas
: a horny band or ribbon in mollusks other than bivalves that bears minute chitinous teeth on its dorsal surface and scrapes or tears off food and draws it into the mouth
Examples of radula in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Finding a radula would be the clincher for Smith and Caron's argument; failing to do so puts their analysis in a tricky position.
—
Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 26 May 2010
Their teeth are one of the hardest materials in nature and are attached to a flexible tongue-like structure called a radula.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 31 May 2021
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.
Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 26 May 2010
Their teeth are one of the hardest materials in nature and are attached to a flexible tongue-like structure called a radula.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 31 May 2021
Dictionary Entries Near radula
Cite this Entry
“Radula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/radula. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
radula
noun
rad·u·la
ˈraj-ə-lə
: a tough band bearing teeth that occurs in some mollusks (as snails and slugs) and is used to scrape or tear off food and bring it into the mouth
Medical Definition
radula
noun
rad·u·la
ˈraj-ə-lə
: a horny band or ribbon in mollusks other than bivalves that bears minute teeth on its dorsal surface and tears up food and draws it into the mouth and that in some members of the gastropod genus Conus is used to inflict a poisonous and sometimes fatal bite
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share