Illustration of elytron
- elytron E
elytron
noun
el·y·tron
ˈe-lə-ˌträn 
plural elytra
ˈe-lə-trə
: one of the anterior wings in beetles and some other insects that serve to protect the posterior pair of functional wings
Examples of elytron in a Sentence
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The creatures use the edge of the elytron and abdominal movements to fold the wing along creased lines.
—
Jason Daley,
Smithsonian,
19 May 2017
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Jason Daley,
Smithsonian,
19 May 2017
Cite this Entry
“Elytron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elytron. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
elytron
noun
el·y·tron
ˈel-ə-ˌträn
variants
also elytrum
-trəm
plural elytra
-trə
: one of the thick modified front wings in beetles and some other insects that protect the hind pair of wings that are used for flying
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