medusa

noun

me·​du·​sa mi-ˈdü-sə How to pronounce medusa (audio)
-ˈdyü-,
-zə
1
capitalized [Latin, from Greek Medousa] : a mortal Gorgon who is slain when decapitated by Perseus
2
plural medusae mi-ˈdü-ˌsē How to pronounce medusa (audio)
-ˈdyü-,
-ˌzē,
-ˌsī,
-ˌzī
also medusas [New Latin, from Latin] : the typically free-swimming, bell-shaped, usually sexually-reproducing, solitary or colonial form of a cnidarian (such as an obelia, box jellyfish, or sea nettle) in which nematocyst-studded tentacles arise and hang down from the margin of the nearly transparent, gelatinous bell see jellyfish
medusan
mi-ˈdü-sᵊn How to pronounce medusa (audio)
-ˈdyü-
-zᵊn
adjective or noun
medusoid
mi-ˈdü-ˌsȯid How to pronounce medusa (audio)
-ˈdyü-
-ˌzȯid
adjective or noun

Examples of medusa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Only four tentacles extend from the body to create the entire jellyfish, called a medusa, according to the study. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 2 July 2024 Most species of medusa (or adult) jellyfish live for a few months in the wild, according to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024 During this, a medusa jellyfish will revert back to its polyp stage, according to American Museum of Natural History. Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024 The cells specialized for medusae are reprogrammed into cells distinct for polyps – so the T. dohrnii recreates its body from a previous life stage. Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 14 Dec. 2023 See all Example Sentences for medusa 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'medusa.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of medusa was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near medusa

Cite this Entry

“Medusa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medusa. Accessed 13 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

medusa

noun
me·​du·​sa mi-ˈd(y)ü-sə How to pronounce medusa (audio)
-zə
plural medusae -ˌsē How to pronounce medusa (audio)
-ˌzē
also medusas

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