coelom

noun

coe·lom ˈsē-ləm

plural coeloms also coelomata si-ˈlō-mə-tə

: the usually epithelium-lined space between the body wall and the digestive tract of metazoans above the lower worms

coelomate

ˈsē-lə-ˌmāt

adjective or noun

coelomic

si-ˈlä-mik

-ˈlō-

adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The researchers could now see that the objects were moving inside the starfish's coelom, the body cavity that extends into its arms. —

Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 19 June 2015 The virus must then not only survive the digestive process, but replicate within the mosquito and pass through the gut wall to the coelom (main body cavity) of the mosquito. —

Claire Gillespie, Health.com, 21 May 2020

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

Word History

Etymology

German, from Greek koilōma cavity, from koilos

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of coelom was in 1875

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Coelom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coelom. Accessed 4 Feb. 2023.

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Kids Definition

coelom

noun

coe·lom ˈsē-ləm

: the fluid-filled body cavity of an animal that contains the internal organs (as the heart, lungs, and kidneys)

Medical Definition

coelom

noun

coe·lom ˈsē-ləm

plural coeloms also coelomata si-ˈlō-mət-ə

: the usually epithelium-lined body cavity of metazoans above the lower worms that forms a large space when well developed between the digestive tract and the body wall

coelomate

ˈsē-lə-ˌmāt

adjective or noun

coelomic

si-ˈläm-ik

-ˈlō-mik

adjective