amphipod

noun

am·​phi·​pod ˈam(p)-fi-ˌpäd How to pronounce amphipod (audio)
: any of a large order (Amphipoda) of small crustaceans (such as the sand flea) with a laterally compressed body
amphipod adjective

Examples of amphipod in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Within them, researchers spotted squat lobsters, sea urchins, and small crustaceans known as amphipods. Priya Shukla, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024 Common coastal stowaways included amphipods, isopods, hydroids and bryozoans, most of which originated from the northwest Pacific. Tim Brinkhof, Discover Magazine, 25 Nov. 2023 Then there is a parasitic worm (trematode) that targets a particular species of marsh-dwelling brown shrimp (amphipod), turning the shrimp an orange hue and altering the host shrimp's behavior. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 31 Oct. 2023 Gray whales feed on benthic amphipods crustaceans, which feed on algae grown under sea ice. Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 13 Oct. 2023 In those Arctic feeding grounds, gray whales dive to the bottom of shallow basins, suck up sediment filled with crustaceans called amphipods, and then filter out the food from the mud. Evan Bush, NBC News, 12 Oct. 2023 One unusually large species of amphipods, Alicella gigantea, can reach up to 13 inches in length. Tree Meinch, Discover Magazine, 27 June 2023 Bacterium on a diatom on an amphipod! Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 25 Aug. 2012 Onisimus glacialis, a common amphipod found only in association with Arctic sea ice. Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 6 Feb. 2015

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'amphipod.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

from stem of New Latin Amphipoda, order name, from Greek amphi- amphi- + -poda, neuter plural of -podos "having feet (of the kind indicated)," derivative of poús "foot" — more at foot entry 1

Note: The taxon was introduced by the French zoologist Pierre André Latreille (1762-1833) in Nouveau dictionnaire d'histoire naturelle, nouvelle édition, tome 1 (Paris, 1816), p. 467. The name refers to the two distinct kind of legs borne by amphipods.

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of amphipod was in 1833

Dictionary Entries Near amphipod

Cite this Entry

“Amphipod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amphipod. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

amphipod

noun
am·​phi·​pod ˈam(p)-fi-ˌpäd How to pronounce amphipod (audio)
: any of a large group of small crustaceans including the sand fleas and related forms
amphipod adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on amphipod

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!