Illustration of coelacanth
coelacanth
noun
coe·la·canth
ˈsē-lə-ˌkan(t)th 
: any of an order (Coelacanthiformes) of lobe-finned fishes known chiefly from Paleozoic and Mesozoic fossils
Examples of coelacanth in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
The coelacanth’s deep-ocean habitat essentially shielded it from the chaos happening at the surface.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Feb. 2026
According to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the coelacanth is one of the most famous living fossils.
—
Avery Hurt,
Discover Magazine,
18 July 2025
The Indonesia coelacanth is a challenging species to research due to its deep-reef habitat.
—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for coelacanth
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.
ABC News,
8 May 2026
The coelacanth’s deep-ocean habitat essentially shielded it from the chaos happening at the surface.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Feb. 2026
According to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the coelacanth is one of the most famous living fossils.
—
Avery Hurt,
Discover Magazine,
18 July 2025
The Indonesia coelacanth is a challenging species to research due to its deep-reef habitat.
—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for coelacanth
Cite this Entry
“Coelacanth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coelacanth. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
