cephalopod

noun

ceph·​a·​lo·​pod ˈse-fə-lə-ˌpäd How to pronounce cephalopod (audio)
: 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

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.
By the end of the third Avatar movie, the RDA is the one being judged (harshly) by the nightmare-inducing cephalopods. Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 24 June 2026 That’s probably why the influencer chose to tow the cephalopod in a tank riding on a skateboard, complete with what appears to be a wireless aerator to supply the critter with oxygen. Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 4 June 2026 According to a recent study published in the journal Science, these enormous cephalopods would have been some of the biggest marine creatures of the Cretaceous Period and might have been the largest invertebrates ever. Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 4 June 2026 Drawing the line here would admit reptiles, amphibians and fish to the consciousness club; some researchers believe that analogous brain structures may also support consciousness in insects and cephalopods, including octopuses. Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for cephalopod

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from cephal- + Greek pod-, pous foot — more at foot

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cephalopod was in 1826

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cephalopod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cephalopod. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

cephalopod

noun
ceph·​a·​lo·​pod ˈsef-ə-lə-ˌpäd How to pronounce cephalopod (audio)
: 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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