cephalopod

noun

ceph·​a·​lo·​pod ˈse-fə-lə-ˌpäd 

: any of a class (Cephalopoda) of marine mollusks including the squids, cuttlefishes, and octopuses that move by expelling water from a tubular siphon under the head and that have a group of muscular usually sucker-bearing arms around the front of the head, highly developed eyes, and usually a sac containing ink which is ejected for defense or concealment

cephalopod adjective

Examples of cephalopod in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That also explains why it’s named after a fossil of a cephalopod. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025

If The Octopus Teacher could change the way the world sees cephalopods, this film will surely move you to care more deeply about mantas. —Kathleen Rellihan, Outside Online, 8 June 2025

Other contemporaries of these animals included large cephalopods such as giant squid, as well as huge sea scorpions. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 21 May 2025

And if that happened, the shark, which preys on squid and other cephalopods, might have taken the opportunity to make a meal out of its unexpected passenger. —Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from cephal- + Greek pod-, pous foot — more at foot

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cephalopod

• brachiopod
• upanishad
• abroad
• applaud
• backboard
• ballade
• defraud
• ephod
• facade
• guffawed
• outlawed
• ramrod

Kids Definition

cephalopod

noun

ceph·​a·​lo·​pod ˈsef-ə-lə-ˌpäd 

: any of a class of mollusks that include the squids, cuttlefishes, and octopuses and have a group of muscular sucker-bearing arms, highly developed eyes, and usually a bag of inky fluid which can be released for defense