foraminifera

plural noun

fo·​ra·​mi·​nif·​era fə-ˌra-mə-ˈni-f(ə-)rə 

ˌfȯr-ə-mə-ˈni-, 

ˌfär-

: organisms that are foraminifers

Examples of foraminifera in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The work covered macrofauna, meiofauna, foraminifera, and environmental DNA, or eDNA. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 June 2026

Shout out, specifically, to homotrema rubrum, the variety of foraminifera that produces a bright pigment that turns its shell red. — Adam Sachs, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Nov. 2025

Invertebrate paleontologists identified widespread ocean acidification based on the mass deaths of tiny creatures called foraminifera. — Joanna Thompson, Space.com, 18 Nov. 2025

Many foraminifera found refuge in or near the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. — Tim Vernimmen, JSTOR Daily, 19 June 2025

This three-mile stretch of soft, pink sand — which gets its color from seashells and microscopic organisms called foraminifera — is a place to go for total relaxation. — Skye Sherman, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin foramin-, foramen + -fera, neuter plural of -fer -fer

First Known Use

circa 1836, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for foraminifera

• ephemeroptera
• antisera
• cladocera
• cordillera
• hemiptera
• homoptera
• lonicera
• neuroptera
• oenothera
• orthoptera
• phylloxera
• primavera

Kids Definition

foraminifera

plural noun

fo·​ra·​mi·​nif·​era fə-ˌram-ə-ˈnif-(ə-)rə 

ˌfȯr-ə-mə-ˈnif-, 

ˌfär-

: protozoans that are foraminifers