Definition of Branchiopoda
1
: a subclass of crustacea comprising primitive aquatic forms typically having an elongated body, a carapace, and many pairs of foliaceous appendages and including the orders Anostraca, Notostraca, Conchostraca, and Cladocera
2
in some especially former classifications
a
: an order of Entomostraca including the Cladocera
b
: an order of Phyllopoda excluding the Cladocera
c
: phyllopoda
