cicada

noun

ci·ca·da sə-ˈkā-də

-ˈkä-

sī-ˈkā-

plural cicadas also cicadae sə-ˈkā-(ˌ)dē

-ˈkä-;

sī-ˈkā-

: any of a family (Cicadidae) of homopterous insects which have a stout body, wide blunt head, and large transparent wings and the males of which produce a loud buzzing noise usually by stridulation

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Members of a family of insects, cicadas have a stout body, wide blunt head, two pairs of transparent wings, prominent compound eyes, and three simple eyes. Most of the 1,500 known species are found in tropical deserts, grasslands, and forests. Males produce loud noises by vibrating membranes near the base of the abdomen. Most North. American cicadas produce rhythmical ticks, buzzes, or whines, though the "song" of some species is musical. Periodic cicadas, including the well-known 17-year cicada (often erroneously called the 17-year locust) and 13-year cicada appear in regular cycles. Their larvae burrow into the ground, where they remain for 13 or 17 years, feeding on juices sucked from roots. Then they emerge in large numbers to live aboveground as adults for a single week.

Examples of cicada in a Sentence

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Hundreds of trillions, or even quadrillions, of cicadas were expected in 2024 when two massive broods emerged at the same time, UConn cicada expert John Cooley said. —

Kiki Intarasuwan, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2025 Illuminated by candlelit tables and the stars above, a cool breeze from the Aegean Sea and the sound of live cicadas complete the experience. —

Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025 These specific types of cicadas crawl out from below the ground every 13 or 17 years and can make as much noise as a jet engine. —

Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 25 Dec. 2024 The deafening sound of the cicadas rose from within the lush growth at the side of the road. —

Greg Jackson, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cicada