tadpole

noun

tad·​pole ˈtad-ˌpōl 

: 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

Illustration of tadpole

• tadpole in stages

Examples of tadpole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their populations were first threatened in the late 1800s when nonnative trout that fed on tadpoles were introduced to their habitats for recreational fishing. — ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

In 1958 British biologist John Gurdon showed that the nucleus from a cell in a tadpole could be transplanted into an egg cell to create an entirely new frog. — Venki Ramakrishnan, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026

Rainfall increases water levels in ponds and wetlands, or creates temporary pools that provide ideal—and safer—breeding grounds for eggs and tadpoles to survive. — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 30 June 2026

Tiny frogs, big challenges Coquí frogs lay eggs on land, skipping the tadpole stage in a process called direct development. — Ana V. Longo, The Conversation, 24 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English taddepol, from tode toad + polle head

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tadpole

• bankroll
• bedroll
• borehole
• cajole
• catchpole
• charcoal
• condole
• control
• dipole
• downhole
• enroll
• extol

Kids Definition

tadpole

noun

tad·​pole ˈtad-ˌpōl 

: the larva of a frog or toad that has a rounded body and a long tail, breathes with gills, and lives in water

called also pollywog

Etymology

Middle English taddepol "tadpole," from tode "toad" and polle "head"

Word Origin

A young tadpole looks like a large head with a tail. In time it will develop back legs and then front legs. Finally it will lose its tail and become a toad or a frog. Our word for this immature form of a toad or frog comes from Middle English taddepol. This word was a combination of two others, tode, meaning "toad," and polle, meaning "head."