Illustration of tadpole
- tadpole in stages
: a larval amphibian
specifically
: a frog or toad larva that has a rounded body with a long tail bordered by fins and external gills soon replaced by internal gills and that undergoes a metamorphosis to the adult
Examples of tadpole in a Sentence
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The ancient tadpole was huge—almost 16 centimeters long—which is slightly bigger than adults of the species that researchers have unearthed (as pictured above in an artist’s reconstruction).
—
Christie Wilcox, science.org, 30 Oct. 2024
Available only just before torrential rains each year, the tadpoles are considered a local delicacy.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
The tadpole, belonging to the species Notobatrachus degiustoi, is an unusual six inches long.
—Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024
The oldest tadpole reveals evolutionary stability of the anuran life cycle.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
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Christie Wilcox, science.org, 30 Oct. 2024
Available only just before torrential rains each year, the tadpoles are considered a local delicacy.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
The tadpole, belonging to the species Notobatrachus degiustoi, is an unusual six inches long.
—Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024
The oldest tadpole reveals evolutionary stability of the anuran life cycle.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tadpole
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Cite this Entry
“Tadpole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tadpole. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tadpole
noun
tad·pole
ˈtad-ˌpōl 
: the larva of a frog or toad that has a rounded body and a long tail, breathes with gills, and lives in water
called also pollywog
Etymology
Middle English taddepol "tadpole," from tode "toad" and polle "head"
Word Origin
A young tadpole looks like a large head with a tail. In time it will develop back legs and then front legs. Finally it will lose its tail and become a toad or a frog. Our word for this immature form of a toad or frog comes from Middle English taddepol. This word was a combination of two others, tode, meaning "toad," and polle, meaning "head."
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