toad

noun

\ ˈtōd

Definition of toad

1 : any of numerous anuran amphibians (especially family Bufonidae) that are distinguished from the related frogs by being more terrestrial in habit though returning to water to lay their eggs, by having a build that is squatter and shorter with weaker and shorter hind limbs, and by having skin that is rough, dry, and warty rather than smooth and moist

2 : a contemptible person or thing

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Examples of toad in a Sentence

He's such a mean little toad. that miserable toad is lucky to have even a single friend

Recent Examples on the Web

Lavishly illustrated with photographs and maps, the book offers beauty both grand and intimate — even the lichen snails and toads get their due. — Lynda V. Mapes, The Seattle Times, "David Moskowitz captures the beauty — and fragility — of the Northwest’s mountain caribou," 11 Feb. 2019 In the final months of imprisonment, desperate internees ate pigeons, toads and rats. — James M. Scott, WSJ, "Five Best: James M. Scott," 8 Nov. 2018 The first is a surreal toad’s giant head, for instance, and the melody of a swamp at night can be heard chirruping in the background. — Steven Strom, Ars Technica, "Gnog Review: Short and sweet puzzle unboxing," 12 Aug. 2018 However, on Astell and Pobassoo islands, a few kilometers off Australia’s northern coast, the animals are flourishing, thanks to a lack of both predators and toads. — Matt Warren, Science | AAAS, "This endangered Australian marsupial was set to make a comeback—until it stopped fearing wild dogs," 5 June 2018 Prior excavations amidst the human remains in the Cemetery of the Babies unearthed various items commonly associated with magic at the time: raven talons, toad bones, and bronze cauldrons filled with ash. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Fifth-century child’s skeleton shows evidence of “vampire burial”," 13 Oct. 2018 And then, Gillman says, there is potential environmental damage — such as to the toad or salamander shading itself beneath those weeds. — Margaret Roach, Good Housekeeping, "Why It Can Be Dangerous to Use Vinegar to Kill Weeds," 15 Aug. 2018 The review, published last week in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, looked at over 300 studies of animals including birds, mammals, insects, frogs and toads who practice turn-taking behavior. — Joshua Rapp Learn, Smithsonian, "Some Animals Take Turns While Talking, Just Like Humans. Why?," 20 June 2018 During the late 20th century, scientists found that macaques, cats, horses, owls and toads have this superpower. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Praying Mantises Don Tiny Goggles to Help Us Understand 3-D Vision," 10 Feb. 2018

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