sand dollar

noun

: any of numerous flat circular sea urchins (order Clypeasteroida) that live chiefly in shallow water on sandy bottoms

Illustration of sand dollar

Illustration of sand dollar

Examples of sand dollar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Most closely related to sea urchins, sea stars (aka starfish), sea lilies, and sand dollars, these bottom-dwellers range from as small as one inch long up to six feet. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 15 Nov. 2023 But starfish—as well as sand dollars and sea anemones—have radial symmetry, with identical segments of their body radiating out from a central point. Lori Youmshajekian, Scientific American, 3 Nov. 2023 Hot-glue wooden skewers onto the back of tiny round ornaments resembling seashells and pearls, sand dollars, and starfish covered in green and blue glitter. Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Oct. 2023 Gift shops sell furry bison figurines, and sand dollars are etched with bison silhouettes. Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2023 Out farther, closer to the still-receding Pacific, is where there will be whole sand dollars, smooth and unblemished, perfect finds. Emily Brisse, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Oct. 2023 This vast sandy beach is ideal for playing volleyball or taking long walks (bring shoes to protect your feet) while spotting sand dollars and nesting crabs. Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 26 Aug. 2023 From Tigertail Beach, walk over to Sand Dollar Spit, an area named for its abundance of sand dollars. Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 20 June 2023 But what makes Folly Beach really special is the abundance of fossils, urchins, sand dollars, and starfish. Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 20 June 2023

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

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sand dollar was in 1884

Dictionary Entries Near sand dollar

Cite this Entry

“Sand dollar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sand%20dollar. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sand dollar

noun
: any of various round flat sea urchins that usually live in shallow water and on sandy bottoms

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