periodical cicada

noun

Examples of periodical cicada in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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There have been sightings in Middle Tennessee as early as May 2. Not all of Tennessee will have to deal with the cicadas like it does with the 17-year periodical cicadas, according to the University of Tennessee Extension. Allie Feinberg, The Tennessean, 7 May 2024 Today several trillion periodical cicadas are emerging across 15 states in a rare double brood event, literally covering the ground in some places. Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 31 May 2024 Then, there are periodical cicadas that come in waves. Keely Brewer, The Daily Memphian, and Brittney J. Miller, Cedar Rapids Gazette, Journal Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2024 After spending 13 or 17 years underground and weeks above ground, some of the earliest periodical cicadas are completing their life cycle and starting to die off. Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 4 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for periodical cicada 

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of periodical cicada was in 1876

Dictionary Entries Near periodical cicada

Cite this Entry

“Periodical cicada.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periodical%20cicada. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.

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