Illustration of tadpole
- tadpole in stages
: a larval amphibian
specifically
: a frog or toad larva that has a rounded body with a long tail bordered by fins and external gills soon replaced by internal gills and that undergoes a metamorphosis to the adult
Examples of tadpole in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Its prey includes aquatic insects, tiny crustaceans and the occasional small fish (see cover image) or tadpole.
—
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Genetically modified, cannibal tadpoles may be the solution to Australia’s nearly century-old invasive cane toad problem.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 10 Apr. 2025
Even the immature stages, or tadpoles, of Cuban treefrogs prey on the tadpoles of native species.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2025
Weeks later, the nearly 250 tadpoles were successfully reared into frogs.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tadpole
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Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Genetically modified, cannibal tadpoles may be the solution to Australia’s nearly century-old invasive cane toad problem.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 10 Apr. 2025
Even the immature stages, or tadpoles, of Cuban treefrogs prey on the tadpoles of native species.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2025
Weeks later, the nearly 250 tadpoles were successfully reared into frogs.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tadpole
Cite this Entry
“Tadpole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tadpole. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tadpole
noun
tad·pole
ˈtad-ˌpōl 
: the larva of a frog or toad that has a rounded body and a long tail, breathes with gills, and lives in water
called also pollywog
Etymology
Middle English taddepol "tadpole," from tode "toad" and polle "head"
Word Origin
A young tadpole looks like a large head with a tail. In time it will develop back legs and then front legs. Finally it will lose its tail and become a toad or a frog. Our word for this immature form of a toad or frog comes from Middle English taddepol. This word was a combination of two others, tode, meaning "toad," and polle, meaning "head."
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