holothurian

noun

ho·​lo·​thu·​ri·​an ˌhō-lə-ˈthu̇r-ē-ən How to pronounce holothurian (audio)
-ˈthyu̇r-,
ˌhä-
holothurian adjective

Examples of holothurian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Marine invertebrates—from octopuses to hermit crabs and creatures like the bizarre holothurians—are the focus of this photography book. Tim Flannery, The New York Review of Books, 7 Mar. 2019

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Holothuria, a sea cucumber genus (going back to Latin, plural of holothūrion, zoophyte-like sea creature of uncertain identity, borrowed from Greek holothoúrion, of obscure origin) + -an entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1842, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of holothurian was circa 1842

Dictionary Entries Near holothurian

Cite this Entry

“Holothurian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holothurian. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on holothurian

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!