tardigrade

noun

tar·​di·​grade ˈtär-də-ˌgrād 

: any of a phylum (Tardigrada) of microscopic invertebrates with four pairs of stout legs that live usually in water or damp moss

called also water bear

Examples of tardigrade in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The tardigrade subsequently warmed to room temperature and was rehydrated, coming back to life with a brand new tattoo. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 23 Apr. 2025

For perspective, while a mere 5 grays (Gy) of radiation is typically fatal for a human being and 4,000 Gy can kill tardigrades, Conan shrugs off exposure to doses surpassing 15,000 Gy with a 37% survival rate. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025

Thousands of tardigrades were aboard the Beresheet lander that crashed on the Moon in 2019. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025

Gathering numerous samples from a range of locations is key to studying tardigrade biodiversity. —Paulina Rowińska, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Latin tardigradus slow-moving, from tardus slow + gradi to step, go — more at grade entry 1

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tardigrade

• accolade
• ambuscade
• antegrade
• balustrade
• barricade
• cannonade
• cavalcade
• centigrade
• chambermaid
• colonnade
• countertrade
• disobeyed