cicada

noun

ci·​ca·​da sə-ˈkā-də  -ˈkä- 

sī-ˈkā-

plural cicadas also cicadae sə-ˈkā-(ˌ)dē 

-ˈkä-;

sī-ˈkā-

: any of a family (Cicadidae) of homopterous insects which have a stout body, wide blunt head, and large transparent wings and the males of which produce a loud buzzing noise usually by stridulation

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Members of a family of insects, cicadas have a stout body, wide blunt head, two pairs of transparent wings, prominent compound eyes, and three simple eyes. Most of the 1,500 known species are found in tropical deserts, grasslands, and forests. Males produce loud noises by vibrating membranes near the base of the abdomen. Most North. American cicadas produce rhythmical ticks, buzzes, or whines, though the "song" of some species is musical. Periodic cicadas, including the well-known 17-year cicada (often erroneously called the 17-year locust) and 13-year cicada appear in regular cycles. Their larvae burrow into the ground, where they remain for 13 or 17 years, feeding on juices sucked from roots. Then they emerge in large numbers to live aboveground as adults for a single week.

Examples of cicada in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Periodical cicadas emerge earlier, usually in mid-to-late May as opposed to annual cicadas in July and August. —Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024

This year, two broods of cicadas are emerging: Brood XIX, which comes out every 13 years, will emerge in the Georgia and Southeast, and Brood XIII, which emerges every 17 years, will appear in Illinois. —CBS News, 24 Apr. 2024

Areas of Kentucky will have a lengthy cicada season this year, with a rare brood, XIX, expected to emerge this spring in addition to annual summer cicadas. —Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 22 Apr. 2024

There are two types of cicadas that are common in Eastern U.S. states: Annual and periodical cicadas. —Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 12 Apr. 2024

There are seven 17-year and 13-year cicadas in the state. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Mar. 2024

There are over 3,000 species of cicadas, National Geographic reports. —Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024

There are two adjacent broods of cicadas that will be emerging at the same time. —Solcyré Burga, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024

Cicadas Billions of cicadas are set to surface in a matter of weeks as two different broods — one that appears every 13 years, and another every 17 years — emerge simultaneously. —Alexandra Banner, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, genus name, from Latin, cicada

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cicada

• periodical cicada

Kids Definition

cicada

noun

ci·​ca·​da sə-ˈkād-ə  -ˈkäd- 

: any of a family of stout-bodied insects that have a wide blunt head, large transparent wings, and the males of which make a loud buzzing noise