amoeba

noun

amoe·​ba ə-ˈmē-bə 

variants or less commonly ameba

plural amoebas or amoebae also amebas or amebae ə-ˈmē-(ˌ)bē 

: any of a large genus (Amoeba) of naked rhizopod protozoans with lobed and never anastomosing pseudopodia, without permanent organelles or supporting structures, and of wide distribution in fresh and salt water and moist terrestrial environments

broadly : a naked rhizopod or other amoeboid protozoan

amoebic adjective

or less commonly amebic

ə-ˈmē-bik

Illustration of amoeba

• 1 pseudopodium
• 2 nucleus
• 3 contractile vacuole
• 4 food vacuole

Examples of amoeba in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Scientists have long argued if the Ediacara fauna were true animals and not some sort of large-bodied amoeba, lichens (!), or a completely extinct branch of life-forms. —David Bressan, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024

Some microorganisms, such as the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri, can enter the brain this way, but those incidents are rare. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Sep. 2024

When water gets up the nose, the amoeba can enter and travel up to reach the brain. —Harriet Marsden, The Week Uk, theweek, 12 Aug. 2024

Beware of brain-eating amoebas, too Another rare but often fatal risk involves the amoeba Naegleria fowleri, a brain-eating amoeba. —Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 14 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, genus name, from Greek amoibē change, from ameibein to change — more at migrate

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

amoeba

noun

amoe·​ba

variants also ameba

ə-ˈmē-bə

plural amoebas or amoebae -(ˌ)bē 

: any of a large genus of protozoans that have no permanent cell organs or structures, that change shape to form temporary lobes for moving and taking in food, and that are widespread in fresh and salt water and in moist soils

amoebic

-bik 

adjective

Medical Definition

amoeba

noun

amoe·​ba

ə-ˈmē-bə

1

capitalized : a large genus of naked rhizopod protozoans that have lobed and never anastomosing pseudopodia and are widely distributed in fresh and salt water and moist terrestrial environments

2

also ameba plural amoebas or amoebae -(ˌ)bē  also amebas or amebae : a protozoan of the genus Amoeba

broadly : an amoeboid protozoan (as a naked rhizopod)

amebic adjective

or amoebic

-bik