: any of a phylum or subphylum (Ciliophora) of ciliated protozoans (such as paramecia)
Examples of ciliate in a Sentence
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And the idea is of interest beyond the Caribbean as well, now that another Diadema species in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean is also being pummeled by a ciliate.
—
Lisa S. Gardiner, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Aug. 2024
As the researchers watched over the next days, the ciliates depleted the chlorovirus population, and imaging confirmed that the viruses were ending up inside the ciliates.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 21 Feb. 2023
While the ciliate’s involvement was unexpected, after scientists studied urchins from 23 sites in the Caribbean, there was no denying what had been the murderer.
—Carolyn Hagler, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 May 2023
Moreover, as the chlorovirus populations declined, the Halteria ciliates grew in size and number.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 21 Feb. 2023
Rudek regularly dipped the stars in an iodine solution to kill a group of parasites called ciliates that scar the skin and slow the healing process.
—Dino Grandoni, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Mar. 2023
Ciliates are considered the most evolved and complex of protozoans, and there are over 8,000 different ciliate species.
—Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 9 Dec. 2015
Various other organisms also popped up alive in the mollusk feces, including springtails, ciliates, nematodes, mosses, and plant seeds.
—Yao-Hua Law, Science | AAAS, 27 Mar. 2018
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Lisa S. Gardiner, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Aug. 2024
As the researchers watched over the next days, the ciliates depleted the chlorovirus population, and imaging confirmed that the viruses were ending up inside the ciliates.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 21 Feb. 2023
While the ciliate’s involvement was unexpected, after scientists studied urchins from 23 sites in the Caribbean, there was no denying what had been the murderer.
—Carolyn Hagler, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 May 2023
Moreover, as the chlorovirus populations declined, the Halteria ciliates grew in size and number.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 21 Feb. 2023
Rudek regularly dipped the stars in an iodine solution to kill a group of parasites called ciliates that scar the skin and slow the healing process.
—Dino Grandoni, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Mar. 2023
Ciliates are considered the most evolved and complex of protozoans, and there are over 8,000 different ciliate species.
—Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 9 Dec. 2015
Various other organisms also popped up alive in the mollusk feces, including springtails, ciliates, nematodes, mosses, and plant seeds.
—Yao-Hua Law, Science | AAAS, 27 Mar. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Ciliate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ciliate. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ciliate
noun
cil·i·ate
ˈsil-ē-ət 
-ˌāt
: any of a group of protozoans that have cilia
Medical Definition
ciliate
noun
cil·i·ate
ˈsil-ē-ət, -ē-ˌāt
: any of a phylum or subphylum (Ciliophora) of ciliated protozoans (such as paramecia)
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