tu·ni·cate
ˈtü-ni-kət 
-nə-ˌkāt,
ˈtyü-
: any of a subphylum (Urochordata synonym Tunicata) of marine chordate animals (such as ascidians) that are filter feeders having a thick secreted covering layer, a greatly reduced nervous system, and only in the larval stage a notochord
Examples of tunicate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 16 July 2023
About 3,000 species of tunicates worldwide reside in saltwater habitats.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 6 July 2023
First described in 2009 in the unicellular green algae Micromonas, introners have subsequently turned up in the genomes of some other algae, some species of fungi, tiny marine organisms called dinoflagellates and simple invertebrates called tunicates.
—Jake Buehler, Quanta Magazine, 30 Mar. 2023
Every tunicate can reproduce by itself if conditions warrant.
—Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 18 May 2016
The scientists say the bizarre underwater creature could be a new type of soft coral or even a sponge or tunicate.
—Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 26 Sep. 2022
Another tunicate, Ecteinascidia turbinata, which attaches to submerged mangrove roots, yielded the molecular mixture that led to Yondelis, a sarcoma and ovarian cancer drug, and Zepzelca, which targets small-cell lung cancer.
—Stephanie Stone, Scientific American, 23 July 2022
As just a few examples, in June, the FDA approved a new treatment for lung cancer called lurbinectedin that was originally synthesized from a toxin found in the sea squirt, or tunicate, a marine invertebrate that uses the poison to ward off enemies.
—Eric Niiler, Wired, 27 Oct. 2020
Here’s the Deal with Those Slimy, Brain-Like Blobs Washing Ashore in Florida and the Carolinas
Salps, like their relatives the sea pork, are part of a group called tunicates, are considered one of the most evolved of all marine invertebrates.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 25 June 2019
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Noun
There are two hypotheses for the evolution of tunicates.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 16 July 2023
About 3,000 species of tunicates worldwide reside in saltwater habitats.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 6 July 2023
First described in 2009 in the unicellular green algae Micromonas, introners have subsequently turned up in the genomes of some other algae, some species of fungi, tiny marine organisms called dinoflagellates and simple invertebrates called tunicates.
—Jake Buehler, Quanta Magazine, 30 Mar. 2023
Every tunicate can reproduce by itself if conditions warrant.
—Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 18 May 2016
The scientists say the bizarre underwater creature could be a new type of soft coral or even a sponge or tunicate.
—Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 26 Sep. 2022
Another tunicate, Ecteinascidia turbinata, which attaches to submerged mangrove roots, yielded the molecular mixture that led to Yondelis, a sarcoma and ovarian cancer drug, and Zepzelca, which targets small-cell lung cancer.
—Stephanie Stone, Scientific American, 23 July 2022
As just a few examples, in June, the FDA approved a new treatment for lung cancer called lurbinectedin that was originally synthesized from a toxin found in the sea squirt, or tunicate, a marine invertebrate that uses the poison to ward off enemies.
—Eric Niiler, Wired, 27 Oct. 2020
Here’s the Deal with Those Slimy, Brain-Like Blobs Washing Ashore in Florida and the Carolinas
Salps, like their relatives the sea pork, are part of a group called tunicates, are considered one of the most evolved of all marine invertebrates.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 25 June 2019
Cite this Entry
“Tunicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tunicate. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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