cephalopod

noun

ceph·​a·​lo·​pod ˈse-fə-lə-ˌpäd 

: any of a class (Cephalopoda) of marine mollusks including the squids, cuttlefishes, and octopuses that move by expelling water from a tubular siphon under the head and that have a group of muscular usually sucker-bearing arms around the front of the head, highly developed eyes, and usually a sac containing ink which is ejected for defense or concealment

cephalopod adjective

Examples of cephalopod in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The fabulously wealthy Octopussy is seen in jumpsuits, saris, and all manner of wardrobe, but nothing expresses her style so well as this personalized silk robe, bearing a painting of the cephalopod that inspired her nickname on the back. —EW.com, 23 Mar. 2025

An After-Mating Meal All octopuses are venomous, with the majority of these cephalopods using their venom to fend off their predators or to immobilize their prey. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025

Enter a fascinating predator-prey relationship involving olfaction between sharks and cephalopods (like cuttlefish). —Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025

Don’t be fooled by the beauty of these rings: These octopuses are among the deadliest of cephalopods, and there’s plenty that researchers still need to learn about them. —Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from cephal- + Greek pod-, pous foot — more at foot

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cephalopod

• brachiopod
• upanishad
• abroad
• applaud
• backboard
• ballade
• defraud
• ephod
• facade
• guffawed
• outlawed
• ramrod

Kids Definition

cephalopod

noun

ceph·​a·​lo·​pod ˈsef-ə-lə-ˌpäd 

: any of a class of mollusks that include the squids, cuttlefishes, and octopuses and have a group of muscular sucker-bearing arms, highly developed eyes, and usually a bag of inky fluid which can be released for defense