SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus
view recents

chela

noun
Save Word
che·​la | \ ˈkē-lə How to pronounce chela (audio) \
plural chelae\ ˈkē-​(ˌ)lē How to pronounce chela (audio) \

Definition of chela

: a pincerlike organ or claw borne by a limb of a crustacean or arachnid

First Known Use of chela

1635, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for chela

New Latin, from Greek chēlē claw

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about chela

Statistics for chela

Cite this Entry

“Chela.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chela. Accessed 5 Mar. 2021.

Style: MLA
MLA Chicago APA Merriam-Webster

More from Merriam-Webster on chela

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chela

Comments on chela

What made you want to look up chela? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

abhor

Listen to the pronunciation of abhor

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Who Knew?

  • who knew quiz
  • What is a ruelle?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games