Illustration of centipede
centipede
noun
cen·ti·pede
ˈsen-tə-ˌpēd 
: any of a class (Chilopoda) of long flattened many-segmented predaceous arthropods with each segment bearing one pair of legs of which the foremost pair is modified into poison fangs
Examples of centipede in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, 12-inch centipedes were also confiscated and the green mamba, which had been sick, died after the raid.
—
Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2025
The Redditor later said that commenters identified the creature as a centipede, likely the Scolopendra cingulata, also known as the giant Mediterranean centipede.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
The decisive feature that demonstrates the fossil was likely an early arachnid is the unique organization of the brain -- a reverse of the front-to-back arrangement found in present-day crustaceans, insects, centipedes and horseshoe crabs, the researchers said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 23 July 2025
However, don't confuse a millipede with centipedes, which have a painful, venomous bite.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for centipede
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Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2025
The Redditor later said that commenters identified the creature as a centipede, likely the Scolopendra cingulata, also known as the giant Mediterranean centipede.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
The decisive feature that demonstrates the fossil was likely an early arachnid is the unique organization of the brain -- a reverse of the front-to-back arrangement found in present-day crustaceans, insects, centipedes and horseshoe crabs, the researchers said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 23 July 2025
However, don't confuse a millipede with centipedes, which have a painful, venomous bite.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for centipede
Cite this Entry
“Centipede.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/centipede. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
centipede
noun
cen·ti·pede
ˈsent-ə-ˌpēd
: any of a class of long flattened arthropods that have many segments with each segment having one pair of legs except for the first segment which has a pair of poison fangs compare millipede
Etymology
from Latin centipeda "centipede," from centi- "hundred" and -peda, from ped-, pes "foot" — related to pedestrian
Medical Definition
centipede
noun
cen·ti·pede
ˈsent-ə-ˌpēd
: any member of the class Chilopoda of long flattened many-segmented predaceous arthropods with each segment bearing one pair of legs of which the foremost pair is modified into poison fangs
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