Examples of ectotherm in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Hammerheads are ectotherms—or cold-blooded creatures—which means their body temperatures are regulated by their environment.
—
Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 May 2023
For instance, brumation comes as an advantage for ectotherms’ longevity.
—Sofia Quaglia, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2023
Seabird populations have declined so much over time, there are simply not enough birds to recreate it, says Kevin Graham, associate curator of birds and ectotherms at Dallas Zoo and coordinator of the African Penguin Nest Project.
—Story, CNN, 23 Feb. 2023
Pond water temperatures remain quite stable over the winter and an ectotherm sitting in that water will have a similarly stable body temperature.
—Jacqueline Litzgus, Discover Magazine, 22 Nov. 2017
As an ectotherm — an animal that relies on an external source of heat — a turtle’s body temperature tracks that of its environment.
—Jacqueline Litzgus, Discover Magazine, 22 Nov. 2017
Fish are ectotherms, which means their body temperature relies very much on the temperature of the water around them.
—Jacqueline Detwiler, Popular Mechanics, 10 Dec. 2018
Because reptiles are ectotherms, their body temperature is controlled by whatever’s around them, says Refsnider.
—Jason Bittel, National Geographic, 20 June 2017
Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 May 2023
For instance, brumation comes as an advantage for ectotherms’ longevity.
—Sofia Quaglia, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2023
Seabird populations have declined so much over time, there are simply not enough birds to recreate it, says Kevin Graham, associate curator of birds and ectotherms at Dallas Zoo and coordinator of the African Penguin Nest Project.
—Story, CNN, 23 Feb. 2023
Pond water temperatures remain quite stable over the winter and an ectotherm sitting in that water will have a similarly stable body temperature.
—Jacqueline Litzgus, Discover Magazine, 22 Nov. 2017
As an ectotherm — an animal that relies on an external source of heat — a turtle’s body temperature tracks that of its environment.
—Jacqueline Litzgus, Discover Magazine, 22 Nov. 2017
Fish are ectotherms, which means their body temperature relies very much on the temperature of the water around them.
—Jacqueline Detwiler, Popular Mechanics, 10 Dec. 2018
Because reptiles are ectotherms, their body temperature is controlled by whatever’s around them, says Refsnider.
—Jason Bittel, National Geographic, 20 June 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ectotherm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1940, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near ectotherm
Cite this Entry
“Ectotherm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ectotherm. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
ectotherm
noun
ec·to·therm
ˈek-tə-ˌthərm 
: a cold-blooded animal : poikilotherm
Medical Definition
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