sea cucumber

noun

: any of a class (Holothurioidea) of echinoderms having a tough muscular elongate body with tentacles surrounding the mouth

called also holothurian

Illustration of sea cucumber

Illustration of sea cucumber

Examples of sea cucumber 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.
Researchers only found one multi-rayed sea cucumber in the Kermadec Trench, the study said. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2025 This Hong Kong specialty, which represents prosperity, often includes abalone, sea cucumber and an assortment of vegetables. Nadia Lopez, Axios, 29 Jan. 2025 Suddenly, one of them heaved itself upward toward me, a sea cucumber rising to stare us down. Jennifer Billock, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2025 Much of the sea life the Vezo subsist on is getting scarce, from tuna and shrimp to invertebrates known as sea cucumbers. Sira Thierij, NPR, 26 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sea cucumber 

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sea cucumber was in 1841

Dictionary Entries Near sea cucumber

Cite this Entry

“Sea cucumber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sea%20cucumber. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

sea cucumber

noun
: any of a class of invertebrate sea animals that are echinoderms with a long tough flexible muscular body resembling a cucumber and having tentacles surrounding the mouth at one end

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