Illustration of elytron
- elytron E
elytron
noun
el·y·tron
ˈe-lə-ˌträn 
plural elytra
ˈe-lə-trə
: one of the anterior wings in beetles and some other insects that serve to protect the posterior pair of functional wings
Examples of elytron in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The creatures use the edge of the elytron and abdominal movements to fold the wing along creased lines.
—
Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 19 May 2017
The creatures use the edge of the elytron and abdominal movements to fold the wing along creased lines.
—Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 19 May 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 19 May 2017
The creatures use the edge of the elytron and abdominal movements to fold the wing along creased lines.
—Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 19 May 2017
Dictionary Entries Near elytron
Cite this Entry
“Elytron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elytron. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
elytron
noun
el·y·tron
ˈel-ə-ˌträn
variants
also elytrum
-trəm
plural elytra
-trə
: one of the thick modified front wings in beetles and some other insects that protect the hind pair of wings that are used for flying
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share