jellyfish
noun
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Definition of jellyfish
1a : a free-swimming marine coelenterate that is the sexually reproducing form of a hydrozoan or scyphozoan and has a nearly transparent saucer-shaped body and extensible marginal tentacles studded with stinging cells
b : siphonophore
c : ctenophore
2 : a person lacking backbone or firmness
Illustration of jellyfish
jellyfish 1a
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Synonyms & Antonyms for jellyfish
Synonyms
doormat, namby-pamby, pushover, reed, weakling, wimp
Antonyms
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Examples of jellyfish in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
According to a study done last year, jellyfish might be older, but that study used genetic analysis and not fossilized evidence. — Chris Ciaccia, Fox News, "'Holy Grail' fossil mystery cracked – 558 million-year-old fat reveals earliest known animal," 21 Sep. 2018 Dangling from the brain like the tentacles of a jellyfish, olfactory neurons are the only part of the central nervous system constantly exposed to the outside world. — Tim Folger, Discover Magazine, "How Quantum Mechanics Lets Us See, Smell and Touch," 24 Oct. 2018 The jellyfish exhibit is getting funding from New York state and the First Niagara Foundation. — Fox News, "Niagara Falls Aquarium begins building jellyfish exhibit," 13 May 2018 Now, in addition to learning about sharks, dolphins, sea turtles, stingrays, jellyfish and more, a trip through the Caribbean Journey showcases flamingos, tropical birds, two sloths, a green iguana and a variety of sea creatures. — San Antonio Express-News, "Your best bets for attractions all around Texas," 12 June 2018 Plans call for about 100 jellyfish representing four species. — Fox News, "Niagara Falls Aquarium begins building jellyfish exhibit," 13 May 2018 Explore all-new exhibit where family meets giant Pacific octopus, moon jellyfish and Japanese spider crabs. — Rasputin Todd, Cincinnati.com, "Things to do this week in Cincinnati: May 7-13," 7 May 2018 One is that there is a population boom among jellyfish and similar creatures about every six years, he was quoted saying. — Mark Price, charlotteobserver, "One of the world's top beaches is a 'blue carpet of slime' after creatures wash ashore," 2 May 2018 During the day, the upside-down jellyfish Cassiopea pulses about once a second. — Michael Greshko, National Geographic, "Brainless Creatures Can Do Some Incredibly Smart Things," 21 May 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'jellyfish.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for jellyfish
jellyfish
noun
English Language Learners Definition of jellyfish
: a sea animal that has a very soft body and that can sting
See the full definition for jellyfish in the English Language Learners Dictionary
jellyfish
noun
\
Kids Definition of jellyfish
: a free-swimming sea animal related to the corals that has a nearly transparent jellylike body shaped like a saucer and tentacles with stinging cells
jellyfish
noun
\
Medical Definition of jellyfish
: a free-swimming marine coelenterate that is the sexually reproducing form of a hydrozoan or scyphozoan and has a nearly transparent saucer-shaped body and extensible marginal tentacles studded with stinging cells
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