tadpole

noun

tad·pole | \ ˈtad-ˌpōl

Definition of tadpole

: a larval amphibian specifically : a frog or toad larva that has a rounded body with a long tail bordered by fins and external gills soon replaced by internal gills and that undergoes a metamorphosis to the adult

Examples of tadpole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The frogs would have to hitchhike across a state border to reach the area, and there’s some doubt tadpoles could even survive there. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Endangered Species Scare," 26 July 2018 That’s why experts traveled into the San Gabriels this week to release 500 tadpoles, reared in the quiet confines of the L.A. Zoo, into a remote creek. — latimes.com, "Today: If Roe Vs. Wade Is Overturned," 29 June 2018 But 5,600 tadpoles from the Detroit Zoo are bolstering your numbers. — Caroline Blackmon, Detroit Free Press, "Puerto Rico just got 11,000 toads courtesy of the Detroit Zoo," 12 June 2018 The spring peepers have long since stopped singing and the tadpoles are beginning their transition into baby frogs. — Dave Epstein, BostonGlobe.com, "It’s official: Summer has begun," 21 June 2018 The tadpoles of western toads squiggle, and water skeeters perform a graceful backwoods ballet. — Lynda V. Mapes, The Seattle Times, "Battling Scotch broom along Olympic’s Hoh River that threatens fish, forests," 27 May 2018 Near his childhood home in suburban Connecticut, Mr. Stager visits a local lily pond and reflects on dragonflies, damselflies and tadpoles. — Danny Heitman, WSJ, "‘Still Waters: The Secret World of Lakes’ Review: Earth’s Many Eyes," 25 May 2018 Mature sea lice are gray, lentil-sized crustaceans, also called ectoparasites, that look like small, fanged tadpoles. — Amanda Little, WIRED, "The Laser Battle Against Blood-Sucking Parasites of the Deep," 23 May 2018 This fish, which looks more like a tadpole, lives at the bottom of the Mariana Trench and is the deepest confirmed fish in the sea. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, "Meet the top 10 new species of 2018," 23 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tadpole.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.