proleg

noun

pro·​leg ˈprō-ˌleg How to pronounce proleg (audio)
-ˌlāg
: a fleshy leg that occurs on an abdominal segment of some insect larvae but not in the adult

Examples of proleg in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In contrast, the green cloverworm is one of the species with only four pairs of prolegs (the pairs on the middle abdominal segments and one pair on the last abdominal segment). oregonlive, 26 Jan. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'proleg.' 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

1817, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of proleg was in 1817

Dictionary Entries Near proleg

Cite this Entry

“Proleg.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proleg. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

proleg

noun
pro·​leg ˈprō-ˌleg How to pronounce proleg (audio)
: a fleshy leg on the abdomen of some insect larvae

More from Merriam-Webster on proleg

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