coelacanth

noun

coe·​la·​canth ˈsē-lə-ˌkan(t)th How to pronounce coelacanth (audio)
: any of an order (Coelacanthiformes) of lobe-finned fishes known chiefly from Paleozoic and Mesozoic fossils

Illustration of coelacanth

Illustration of coelacanth

Examples of coelacanth 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.
The Indonesia coelacanth is a challenging species to research due to its deep-reef habitat. — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 7 May 2025 This reportedly marked the first time a coelacanth was photographed in its natural habitat. — Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 2 May 2025 The coelacanth’s deep-ocean habitat essentially shielded it from the chaos happening at the surface. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026 That story was told in the studio by Professor Julian Huxley, an evolutionary biologist, who used pickled wildlife specimens and a photograph of a coelacanth to explain the fish’s significance. — ABC News, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for coelacanth

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Greek koilos hollow + akantha spine — more at cave

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of coelacanth was in 1857

Rhymes for coelacanth

See All Rhymes for coelacanth

Browse Nearby Words

coeing
coelacanth
Coelacanthidae
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Cite this Entry

“Coelacanth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coelacanth. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

coelacanth

noun
coel·​acanth
ˈsē-lə-ˌkan(t)th
: a fish or fossil of a group of mostly extinct fishes
coelacanth adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on coelacanth

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about coelacanth

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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