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

Illustration of centipede

Examples of centipede in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the World Rock Paper Scissors Association, the game of rock, paper, scissors dates to ancient China in the year 206 BCE, when the symbols were a frog, a snake and a centipede (frog beats centipede, centipede beats snake, and snake beats frog). —Brian Cheung, NBC news, 20 Apr. 2026

The film centers on a wealthy family whose polished exterior begins to crack when an ancient centipede spirit infiltrates their bloodline. —Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026

This is the sort of movie that thinks nothing of dropping in a human-centipede roundabout of bootlicking and the surreal sight of a PR guru’s head turning into a video screen. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2026

Now is the time to apply a spring fertilizer application to all but zoysia and centipede lawns. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for centipede

• aniseed
• cottonseed
• disagreed
• ganymede
• guaranteed
• intercede
• overspeed
• pedigreed
• refereed
• supercede
• supersede
• underfeed

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