nudibranch

noun

nu·​di·​branch ˈnü-də-ˌbraŋk How to pronounce nudibranch (audio)
ˈnyü-
plural nudibranchs
: any of an order (Nudibranchia) of marine opisthobranch mollusks without a shell in the adult state and without true gills
nudibranch adjective

Illustration of nudibranch

Illustration of nudibranch

Examples of nudibranch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Though nudibranchs live in oceans all over the world, researchers say B. caudactylus is the first known to live in the deep water column. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024 First, its closest relatives by appearance — soft-bodied marine gastropods called nudibranchs — generally live in much shallower water. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2024 Monterey is famous for its kelp forests and the unique marine life that thrives in that ecosystem, like sea otters, spider crabs, nudibranchs, massive sea stars, and sea lions. Outside Online, 24 July 2024 But nudibranchs are adapted to withstand this type of attack. Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 June 2024 The sad coda to the story was reading about his death in World War I. —Mike Van Roo | Diamond Bar, California Amazing Mollusks What a wonderful story about the colorful and interesting nudibranchs! Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2024 As the nudibranch tries to grasp its prey, the prey fires its tiny harpoons at the nudibranch. Helen Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024 Clown nudibranchs have flat orange patches on the sides of their translucent white or yellowish-white bodies. Amiah Taylor, Discover Magazine, 10 Jan. 2024 Notable diners include sea turtles, ocean sunfish, and somewhat distant cousins of the octopus, nudibranchs, which will consume jellies and other cnidarians while somehow keeping their stinging cells in tact so they can be repurposed for the nudibranch's defense. Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 31 Mar. 2017

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Nudibranchia, from Latin nudus + Greek branchia gills

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nudibranch was in 1844

Dictionary Entries Near nudibranch

Cite this Entry

“Nudibranch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nudibranch. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on nudibranch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!