ciliate

1 of 2

noun

cil·​i·​ate ˈsi-lē-ət  -lē-ˌāt 

: any of a phylum or subphylum (Ciliophora) of ciliated protozoans (such as paramecia)

ciliate

2 of 2

adjective

cil·​i·​ate ˈsi-lē-ət  -lē-ˌāt 

variant of ciliated

: possessing cilia

ciliated epithelial cells

Examples of ciliate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In the rumen microbiome, bacteria are essential to cow digestion, but ciliates may not be. — Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 27 July 2026

The team found that rumen ciliates with more of the hydrogen-producing structures helped generate more methane than microbes with fewer hydrogenobodies did. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 30 Apr. 2026

Adjective

Each type of ciliate occupies a different niche in the rumen, the same way that lions and cheetahs have different roles as predators on the savanna, Tricarico said. — Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 27 July 2026

The cannibalistic transformations have been well documented in other ciliate species; however, in this species, the transformation is dramatic. — Jay Kakade july 23, Refractor, 23 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1916, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ciliate

noun

cil·​i·​ate ˈsil-ē-ət 

-ˌāt

: any of a group of protozoans that have cilia

Medical Definition

ciliate

noun

cil·​i·​ate ˈsil-ē-ət, -ē-ˌāt 

: any of a phylum or subphylum (Ciliophora) of ciliated protozoans (such as paramecia)