tadpole

noun

tad·​pole ˈtad-ˌpōl How to pronounce tadpole (audio)
: 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

Illustration of tadpole

Illustration of tadpole
  • tadpole in stages

Examples of tadpole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web So far, four partial egg masses were taken from ponds on the Mitsui Ranch Preserve and placed into three ponds on the preserve, which were enclosed to protect the eggs and tadpoles from outside predators, the nonprofit said. Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 29 Feb. 2024 But then, millions of western toad tadpoles began their migration from the lake’s depths to the lily pads and shallows above, to feed on the algae. Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Feb. 2024 The result looks a bit like a tadpole, with a long, thin tail of spaghettified material and a denser oval structure similar to the head at one end, encompassing the black hole. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 17 Jan. 2024 Yet all of them spawn as larvae that vaguely resemble tadpoles. Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 16 July 2023 Scientists have compiled many more nematode connectomes, as well as brain maps of a marine annelid worm, a tadpole, a maggot and an adult fruit fly. Lauren Leffer, Scientific American, 21 Aug. 2023 Gerber is curious to see whether the cellular mechanisms in insect metamorphosis are the same in other animals that undergo variations of the process, like tadpoles that become frogs or immobile hydra-like creatures that become jellyfish. Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 26 July 2023 Frogs and their warty subset, toads, typically live by water, where adults lay eggs and swimming tadpoles awkwardly grow into their legs. Popsci Staff, Popular Science, 29 June 2023 The children fished for tadpoles in the stone pond while the rest of us snacked on fava beans and made small talk. Jamie Quatro, Travel + Leisure, 24 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tadpole.' 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

Middle English taddepol, from tode toad + polle head

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tadpole was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near tadpole

Cite this Entry

“Tadpole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tadpole. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tadpole

noun
tad·​pole ˈtad-ˌpōl How to pronounce tadpole (audio)
: 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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