Illustration of centipede
centipede
noun
cen·ti·pede
ˈsen-tə-ˌpēd 
: any of a class (Chilopoda) of long flattened many-segmented predaceous arthropods with each segment bearing one pair of legs of which the foremost pair is modified into poison fangs
Examples of centipede in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Burrows are also known among birds, crustaceans, centipedes and millipedes, and certain vertebrates like alligators and lizards.
—
Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024
Scientists hadn’t been sure whether to place it among the millipedes or the centipedes.
—Olatunji Osho-Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024
The discovery is not only changing how researchers understand the way that giant arthropods lived but also sheds light on the close evolutionary connections between centipedes and millipedes.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 19 Oct. 2024
Some of the most common insects found in leaf piles include ants, beetles, centipedes, millipedes, pillbugs, earwigs, spiders and ticks, per USA TODAY.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for centipede 
Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024
Scientists hadn’t been sure whether to place it among the millipedes or the centipedes.
—Olatunji Osho-Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024
The discovery is not only changing how researchers understand the way that giant arthropods lived but also sheds light on the close evolutionary connections between centipedes and millipedes.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 19 Oct. 2024
Some of the most common insects found in leaf piles include ants, beetles, centipedes, millipedes, pillbugs, earwigs, spiders and ticks, per USA TODAY.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for centipede
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'centipede.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Centipede.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/centipede. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
centipede
noun
cen·ti·pede
ˈsent-ə-ˌpēd
: any of a class of long flattened arthropods that have many segments with each segment having one pair of legs except for the first segment which has a pair of poison fangs compare millipede
Etymology
from Latin centipeda "centipede," from centi- "hundred" and -peda, from ped-, pes "foot" — related to pedestrian
Medical Definition
centipede
noun
cen·ti·pede
ˈsent-ə-ˌpēd
: any member of the class Chilopoda of long flattened many-segmented predaceous arthropods with each segment bearing one pair of legs of which the foremost pair is modified into poison fangs
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