tube foot
noun
: one of the small flexible tubular processes of most echinoderms that are extensions of the water-vascular system and are used especially in locomotion and grasping
Examples of tube foot in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The new species was identified by its tube feet, microscopic body structures, tentacles and other subtle physical features, the study said.
—
Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2025
Where their radiating spines converge, urchins have delicate, bulbous skeletons with holes for wriggly tube feet and bumps where spines attach.
—Lisa S. Gardiner, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Aug. 2024
Patterson shows me a photo of a new urchin under a microscope, pointing out the minute skeleton ball, radiating spines, and comically enormous tube feet that the urchin will hopefully grow into.
—Lisa S. Gardiner, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Aug. 2024
Underneath its body, two zigzagging rows of tube feet with 62 in each row, and another two rows with 45 tube feet per row, help the sea cucumber get around, researchers said.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 1 July 2024
The new species was identified by its tube feet, tentacles and other subtle physical features, the study said.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2024
Its hunting efficacy stems from its spiny exterior and dexterous tube feet, enabling it to adeptly navigate and capture prey on the muddy seafloor.
—Anna Nordseth, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024
At first glance, starfish seem to be all limbs, with five appendages lined with rows of tube feet giving them their signature shape.
—Lori Youmshajekian, Scientific American, 3 Nov. 2023
Some use tiny tube feet to crawl, while others, like Synapta, move in undulating, wavelike motions.
—Shaena Montanari, National Geographic, 21 July 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2025
Where their radiating spines converge, urchins have delicate, bulbous skeletons with holes for wriggly tube feet and bumps where spines attach.
—Lisa S. Gardiner, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Aug. 2024
Patterson shows me a photo of a new urchin under a microscope, pointing out the minute skeleton ball, radiating spines, and comically enormous tube feet that the urchin will hopefully grow into.
—Lisa S. Gardiner, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Aug. 2024
Underneath its body, two zigzagging rows of tube feet with 62 in each row, and another two rows with 45 tube feet per row, help the sea cucumber get around, researchers said.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 1 July 2024
The new species was identified by its tube feet, tentacles and other subtle physical features, the study said.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2024
Its hunting efficacy stems from its spiny exterior and dexterous tube feet, enabling it to adeptly navigate and capture prey on the muddy seafloor.
—Anna Nordseth, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024
At first glance, starfish seem to be all limbs, with five appendages lined with rows of tube feet giving them their signature shape.
—Lori Youmshajekian, Scientific American, 3 Nov. 2023
Some use tiny tube feet to crawl, while others, like Synapta, move in undulating, wavelike motions.
—Shaena Montanari, National Geographic, 21 July 2017
Cite this Entry
“Tube foot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tube%20foot. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share