centipede

noun

cen·ti·pede ˈsen-tə-ˌpēd

: any of a class (Chilopoda) of long flattened many-segmented predaceous arthropods with each segment bearing one pair of legs of which the foremost pair is modified into poison fangs

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web But scientists are describing a weird exception this week: the centipede. —

John Timmer, Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2023 In any case, many centipede species don't have eyes. —

John Timmer, Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2023 Around 530 million years ago, there is evidence that centipede-like animals began to explore the world above water. —

Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 28 July 2012 Stranger still is that this rare species of snake, died with a centipede trapped inside its throat — forever stuck in a fierce battle. —

Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 7 Sep. 2022 The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology contributed the centipede-like Scout crawler, optimized for tough terrain, which could also serve as a relay between Interact and the lander, boosting its effective area of operations. —

IEEE Spectrum, 8 July 2022 Countless dirt roads scratch outward from the highway like the legs of a centipede. —

Maya Boyd, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2022 Their robotic centipede — built through microfabrication techniques similar to those used for making computer chips — is just over an inch long and about a third as wide, weighing less than two-hundredths of an ounce. —

Steve Nadis, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2013 After being asked that question, suddenly the centipede starts tripping over its own legs. —

Sarah-tai Black, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'centipede.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Latin centipeda, from centi- + ped-, pes foot — more at foot

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of centipede was in 1601

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Centipede.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/centipede. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.

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Kids Definition

centipede

noun

cen·ti·pede ˈsent-ə-ˌpēd

: any of a class of long flattened arthropods that have many segments with each segment having one pair of legs except for the first segment which has a pair of poison fangs compare millipede

Etymology

from Latin centipeda "centipede," from centi- "hundred" and -peda, from ped-, pes "foot" — related to pedestrian

Medical Definition

centipede

noun

cen·ti·pede ˈsent-ə-ˌpēd

: any member of the class Chilopoda of long flattened many-segmented predaceous arthropods with each segment bearing one pair of legs of which the foremost pair is modified into poison fangs