centipede

noun

cen·​ti·​pede ˈsen-tə-ˌpēd 

: any of a class (Chilopoda) of long flattened many-segmented predaceous arthropods with each segment bearing one pair of legs of which the foremost pair is modified into poison fangs

Illustration of centipede

Examples of centipede in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This unique invertebrate — and its leg-deficient relative, the centipede — is more closely related to lobsters, crayfish and shrimp, despite spending its days foraging in the leaf litter instead of on ocean floors. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2025

Spiders, centipedes, and earwigs are natural predators of silverfish. —Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2025

While Eugene’s symbol (the centipede) is moving ahead, Lee’s (the snake) is consuming itself, doomed to make the same mistakes over and over again. —Barry Levitt, TIME, 6 Dec. 2024

But centipedes have all their body segments already in place at birth, according to the study authors. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin centipeda, from centi- + ped-, pes foot — more at foot

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

centipede

noun

cen·​ti·​pede ˈsent-ə-ˌpēd 

: any of a class of long flattened arthropods that have many segments with each segment having one pair of legs except for the first segment which has a pair of poison fangs compare millipede

Etymology

from Latin centipeda "centipede," from centi- "hundred" and -peda, from ped-, pes "foot" — related to pedestrian

Medical Definition

centipede

noun

cen·​ti·​pede ˈsent-ə-ˌpēd 

: any member of the class Chilopoda of long flattened many-segmented predaceous arthropods with each segment bearing one pair of legs of which the foremost pair is modified into poison fangs