cephalopod
noun
ceph·a·lo·pod
ˈse-fə-lə-ˌpäd 
: any of a class (Cephalopoda) of marine mollusks including the squids, cuttlefishes, and octopuses that move by expelling water from a tubular siphon under the head and that have a group of muscular usually sucker-bearing arms around the front of the head, highly developed eyes, and usually a sac containing ink which is ejected for defense or concealment
cephalopod
adjective
Examples of cephalopod in a Sentence
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In this Oscar-winning documentary, filmmaker Craig Foster free-dives daily in a South African kelp forest to follow a single cephalopod over a year.
—
Boutayna Chokrane, Wired News, 22 Apr. 2025
Weighing up to 26 pounds (12 kg) and with an arm span reaching nearly 10 feet (3 m), this formidable cephalopod is known for its intelligence, adaptability, and ability to change color and texture to blend into its surroundings.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
The small cephalopods use the venom to protect themselves and kill their prey.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Mar. 2025
The fabulously wealthy Octopussy is seen in jumpsuits, saris, and all manner of wardrobe, but nothing expresses her style so well as this personalized silk robe, bearing a painting of the cephalopod that inspired her nickname on the back.
—EW.com, 23 Mar. 2025
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Boutayna Chokrane, Wired News, 22 Apr. 2025
Weighing up to 26 pounds (12 kg) and with an arm span reaching nearly 10 feet (3 m), this formidable cephalopod is known for its intelligence, adaptability, and ability to change color and texture to blend into its surroundings.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
The small cephalopods use the venom to protect themselves and kill their prey.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Mar. 2025
The fabulously wealthy Octopussy is seen in jumpsuits, saris, and all manner of wardrobe, but nothing expresses her style so well as this personalized silk robe, bearing a painting of the cephalopod that inspired her nickname on the back.
—EW.com, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cephalopod
Cite this Entry
“Cephalopod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cephalopod. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cephalopod
noun
ceph·a·lo·pod
ˈsef-ə-lə-ˌpäd
: any of a class of mollusks that include the squids, cuttlefishes, and octopuses and have a group of muscular sucker-bearing arms, highly developed eyes, and usually a bag of inky fluid which can be released for defense
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