caterpillar

1 of 2

noun

cat·​er·​pil·​lar ˈka-tər-ˌpi-lər 

-tə-

often attributive

: the elongated wormlike larva of a butterfly or moth

also : any of various similar larvae

Caterpillar

2 of 2

trademark

—used for a tractor made for use on rough or soft ground and moved on two endless metal belts

Examples of caterpillar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Protect seedlings from cutworms. Cutworms are the caterpillars of certain species of moths that crawl along the soil line and chew through tender seedling stems in spring. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2024

The dessert left an enduring impression, too: marshmallows resembling caterpillars resting on 'dirt' made from chocolate shavings. —Taryn White, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024

The researchers determined the caterpillars detect these fields with bristly fibers covering their bodies, which vibrated from the electrical stimulus. —Gennaro Tomma, Scientific American, 16 Sep. 2024

Their caterpillars have huge but similar appetites. —Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 13 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English catyrpel, from Anglo-French *catepelose, literally, hairy cat

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing caterpillar

• forest tent caterpillar
• tent caterpillar

Kids Definition

caterpillar

noun

cat·​er·​pil·​lar ˈkat-ə(r)-ˌpil-ər 

: the long wormlike larva of a butterfly or moth

also : any of various similar insect larvae (as of a sawfly)

Etymology

Noun

Middle English catyrpel "caterpillar," from an early French dialect word catepelose "caterpillar," literally, "hairy cat," from cate "female cat" and pelose "hairy," derived from Latin pilus "hair" — related to pile entry 5

Word Origin

On looking at a fuzzy caterpillar you might see a resemblance to another animal. One kind of caterpillar must have reminded some people of a bear and was at one time called a bear worm and later a woolly bear. In France long ago, the fuzzy caterpillars probably made some people think of little dogs. The French word for caterpillar is chenille, which comes from a Latin word for "little dog." But our word caterpillar comes from an early French dialect word, catepelose, which is made up of two words meaning "hairy cat." Pelose, meaning "hairy," was taken from Latin pilus, "hair." This Latin word is the same root that gives us our modern English word pile, meaning "a coat or surface of short furry hairs." Since many caterpillars are covered with such a coat, the name is very fitting.