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sea urchin
noun
: any of numerous echinoderms (class Echinoidea) that are usually enclosed in thin brittle globular tests covered with movable spines
Examples of sea urchin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The divers harvest abalone, sea urchins and more by venturing into dark waters without the aid of oxygen tanks or professional diving equipment, instead using instruments like nets and hoes.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 10 Oct. 2024
Scientists have also found toxic concentrations of TNT in Atlantic purple sea urchins, mysid crustaceans and blue mussels.
—Paul Hockenos, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Sep. 2024
Long-spined sea urchins (Diadema antillarum) play a vital role in Caribbean coral ecosystems.
—Lisa S. Gardiner, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Aug. 2024
Meet the long-spined sea urchin (Diadema antillarum).
—Krista Stevens, Longreads, 5 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sea urchin
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sea urchin.' 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
1591, in the meaning defined above
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Cite this Entry
“Sea urchin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sea%20urchin. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Kids Definition
sea urchin
noun
: any of a class of small marine invertebrate animals that are echinoderms, usually live on or burrow in the sea bottom, and are enclosed in roundish shells covered with spines that can move
More from Merriam-Webster on sea urchin
Nglish: Translation of sea urchin for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sea urchin
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