chiton

noun

chi·​ton ˈkī-tᵊn 

ˈkī-ˌtän

1

: any of a class (Polyplacophora) of elongated bilaterally symmetrical marine mollusks with a dorsal shell of calcareous plates

2

[Greek chitōn] : the basic garment of ancient Greece worn usually knee-length by men and full-length by women

Examples of chiton in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The area's tidepools are home to sea stars, chitons, crabs and limpets. — Alia Beard Rau, USA Today, 10 June 2026

More than 1,300 chiton species are known to science, and more extant species exist than extinct ones. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 3 Mar. 2026

To understand how this variety of chiton eyes evolved, a team of researchers led by Varney looked at how hundreds of chiton species are related. — Quanta Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024

The mineral is believed to toughen the teeth of the sometimes 14-inch chiton without adding extra weight, due to its high water content and low density, Joster said. — Asha C. Gilbert, USA TODAY, 1 June 2021

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, genus name, from Greek chitōn tunic, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew kuttōneth tunic

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for chiton

• bitten
• briton
• gittin
• kitten
• mitten
• smitten
• whitten
• written
• handwritten
• honiton
• rewritten
• typewritten

Kids Definition

chiton

noun

chi·​ton ˈkīt-ᵊn 

ˈkī-ˌtän

1

: any of a class of marine mollusks with a shell of calcium-containing plates

2

: a draped garment worn by the ancient Greeks