pteropod

noun

ptero·​pod ˈter-ə-ˌpäd How to pronounce pteropod (audio)
: any of the opisthobranch mollusks comprising two orders (Thecosomata and Gymnosomata) and having the anterior lobes of the foot expanded into broad thin winglike swimming organs

Examples of pteropod in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Tiny swimming sea snails called pteropods that make up 40 percent of the diet of juvenile pink salmon already are showing extensive shell corrosion in both the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea. Anchorage Daily News, 24 Mar. 2020 Early victims of ocean acidification include pteropods, microscopic floating snails that make up a huge portion of the diets of juvenile pink salmon. Anchorage Daily News, 15 Oct. 2019 Mucous-mesh grazers include salps, pyrosomes, doliolids, pteropods and appendicularians. Kelly Sutherland, Smithsonian, 3 May 2018 Already, the shells of some animals are thinning, plankton are having trouble growing, and sea animals ranging from scallops to pteropods are dying out. Sena Christian, Newsweek, 19 Nov. 2015

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pteropod.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Pteropoda, group name, from Greek pteron wing + New Latin -poda

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pteropod was in 1833

Dictionary Entries Near pteropod

Cite this Entry

“Pteropod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pteropod. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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