millipede

noun

mil·​li·​pede ˈmi-lə-ˌpēd 

: any of a class (Diplopoda) of myriapod arthropods having usually a cylindrical segmented body covered with hard integument, two pairs of legs on most apparent segments, and unlike centipedes no poison fangs

Did you know?

The earth is home to about 10,000 species of millipedes. Though they have no poison fangs, many of them can, when threatened, emit a liquid or gas poisonous to their enemies. If their structure were true to their name, millipedes would have a thousand legs, but in fact they have far fewer. Even so, a millipede in motion is a sight to ponder: How can it possibly coordinate all those legs so that it doesn't trip over itself? Like some tiny conga line or bunny hop, it scuttles away to a rhythm only it can hear.

Examples of millipede in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Scientists hadn’t been sure whether to place it among the millipedes or the centipedes. —Olatunji Osho-Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024

Some dragon millipedes, including a pink variety, are also capable of producing hydrogen cyanide, which is toxic and keeps predators away. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2025

Borealis is the northern-most province of Vietnam, and also the location where the millipede was found, according to the study. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2025

However, millipedes are harmless decomposers, breaking down decaying plant matter and enriching the soil, which is crucial for sustaining a healthy ecosystem. 6. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 14 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin millepeda, a small crawling animal, from mille thousand + ped-, pes foot — more at foot

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for millipede

• aniseed
• centipede
• cottonseed
• disagreed
• ganymede
• guaranteed
• intercede
• overspeed
• pedigreed
• refereed
• supercede
• supersede

Kids Definition

millipede

noun

mil·​li·​pede ˈmil-ə-ˌpēd 

: any of a class of arthropods having a long segmented body with a hard covering, two pairs of legs on most segments, and unlike the related centipedes no poison fangs

Etymology

from Latin millepeda "a small crawling animal," literally "a thousand-footed animal," from mille "thousand" and ped-, pes "foot"

Medical Definition

millipede

noun

mil·​li·​pede ˈmil-ə-ˌpēd 

: any of a class (Diplopoda) of arthropods having usually a cylindrical segmented body, two pairs of legs on most segments, and including some forms that secrete toxic substances causing skin irritation but that unlike centipedes possess no poison fangs