cicada

noun

ci·​ca·​da sə-ˈkā-də  -ˈkä- 

sī-ˈkā-

plural cicadas also cicadae sə-ˈkā-(ˌ)dē 

-ˈkä-;

sī-ˈkā-

: any of a family (Cicadidae) of homopterous insects which have a stout body, wide blunt head, and large transparent wings and the males of which produce a loud buzzing noise usually by stridulation

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Members of a family of insects, cicadas have a stout body, wide blunt head, two pairs of transparent wings, prominent compound eyes, and three simple eyes. Most of the 1,500 known species are found in tropical deserts, grasslands, and forests. Males produce loud noises by vibrating membranes near the base of the abdomen. Most North American cicadas produce rhythmical ticks, buzzes, or whines, though the "song" of some species is musical. Periodical cicadas, including the well-known 17-year cicada (often erroneously called the 17-year locust) and 13-year cicada appear in regular cycles. Their larvae burrow into the ground, where they remain for 13 or 17 years, feeding on juices sucked from roots. They then emerge in large numbers to live aboveground as adults for only a few weeks.

Examples of cicada in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the golden light of evening, with the background hum of cicadas and the scent of immortelle and lavender on the breeze, the effect is intoxicating—even before your Murtoli Negroni. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

It’s named for the cicada, an insect that goes underground for long periods. —Eva Flowe april 20, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026

Monsters roam the streets at night, spiders and cicadas and worse stalk the surrounding forest, and existential dread permeates all the townspeople trapped within. —Josh Wigler, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2026

Pennsylvania will see cicadas again in 2033, 2036, 2038 and 2042, Cicada Mania says. —Finch Walker, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, genus name, from Latin, cicada

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cicada

• periodical cicada

Rhymes for cicada

• reseda
• rigveda
• ayurveda
• veda

Kids Definition

cicada

noun

ci·​ca·​da sə-ˈkād-ə  -ˈkäd- 

: any of a family of stout-bodied insects that have a wide blunt head, large transparent wings, and the males of which make a loud buzzing noise