medusa

noun

me·​du·​sa mi-ˈdü-sə 

-ˈdyü-,

-zə

1

capitalized [Latin, from Greek Medousa] : a mortal Gorgon who is slain when decapitated by Perseus

2

plural medusae mi-ˈdü-ˌsē 

-ˈdyü-,

-ˌzē,

-ˌsī,

-ˌzī

also medusas [New Latin, from Latin] : the typically free-swimming, bell-shaped, usually sexually-reproducing, solitary or colonial form of a cnidarian (such as an obelia, box jellyfish, or sea nettle) in which nematocyst-studded tentacles arise and hang down from the margin of the nearly transparent, gelatinous bell see jellyfish

medusan

mi-ˈdü-sᵊn 

-ˈdyü-

-zᵊn

adjective or noun

medusoid

mi-ˈdü-ˌsȯid 

-ˈdyü-

-ˌzȯid

adjective or noun

Examples of medusa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The polyps later morph into the recognizable, free-floating jellyfish forms known as medusas. —Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Dec. 2024

Only four tentacles extend from the body to create the entire jellyfish, called a medusa, according to the study. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 2 July 2024

Most species of medusa (or adult) jellyfish live for a few months in the wild, according to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. —Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024

During this, a medusa jellyfish will revert back to its polyp stage, according to American Museum of Natural History. —Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

medusa

noun

me·​du·​sa mi-ˈd(y)ü-sə 

-zə

plural medusae -ˌsē 

-ˌzē

also medusas

: jellyfish sense 1