Illustration of elytron
- elytron E
elytron
noun
el·y·tron
ˈe-lə-ˌträn 
plural elytra
ˈe-lə-trə
: one of the anterior wings in beetles and some other insects that serve to protect the posterior pair of functional wings
Examples of elytron in a Sentence
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The creatures use the edge of the elytron and abdominal movements to fold the wing along creased lines.
—
Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 19 May 2017
The creatures use the edge of the elytron and abdominal movements to fold the wing along creased lines.
—Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 19 May 2017
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Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 19 May 2017
The creatures use the edge of the elytron and abdominal movements to fold the wing along creased lines.
—Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 19 May 2017
Cite this Entry
“Elytron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elytron. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
elytron
noun
el·y·tron
ˈel-ə-ˌträn
variants
also elytrum
-trəm
plural elytra
-trə
: one of the thick modified front wings in beetles and some other insects that protect the hind pair of wings that are used for flying
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