Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

madtom

noun
plural -s

Definition of madtom

: any of several small freshwater catfishes (family Ameiuridae) that are widely distributed in the central and eastern U.S. and have poisonous pectoral spines capable of inflicting painful wounds

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for madtom

mad entry 1 + tom (cat)

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about madtom

Dictionary Entries near madtom

madrona apple

madrone

mad staggers

madtom

Madura

Madurai

maduro

Statistics for madtom

Look-up Popularity

Comments on madtom

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

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

adjudicate

to settle judicially or to act as judge

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Homophone Quiz

  • three-bears-two-of-them-look-like-theyre-whispering-to-a-third-bear-who-looks-chuffed-to-be-the-center-of-attention
  • In order to judge how people felt, the senator's office hired a firm to take a ______.
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

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