poikilotherm

noun

Save Word

poi·ki·lo·therm | \ pȯi-ˈkē-lə-ˌthərm

, -ˈki-

Definition of poikilotherm

: an organism (such as a frog) with a variable body temperature that tends to fluctuate with and is similar to or slightly higher than the temperature of its environment : a cold-blooded organism

Other Words from poikilotherm Did You Know? Learn More about poikilotherm

Keep scrolling for more

Did You Know?

Poikilotherms are also called "ectotherms" or "cold-blooded animals." Such creatures are the thermoregulatory opposites of "endotherms" or "homeotherms" - better known to most of us as "warm-blooded animals" - which are able to maintain a fairly high and constant body temperature relatively independent of the temperature of the surroundings. "Stenotherms" are creatures that can survive only within a very narrow temperature range. The "-therm" in all of these terms comes from the Greek thermē, which means "heat."

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about poikilotherm

Listen to Our Podcast about poikilotherm

Dictionary Entries near poikilotherm

Statistics for poikilotherm

Cite this Entry

“Poikilotherm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poikilotherm. Accessed 3 Mar. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for poikilotherm

poikilotherm

noun

poi·ki·lo·therm | \ ˈpȯi-ki-lə-ˌthərm

, (ˌ)pȯi-ˈkil-ə-

Medical Definition of poikilotherm

: an organism (as a frog) with a variable body temperature that is usually slightly higher than the temperature of its environment : a cold-blooded organism

— called also heterotherm

Comments on poikilotherm

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