tadpole

noun

tad·​pole ˈtad-ˌpōl 

: a larval amphibian

specifically : a frog or toad larva that has a rounded body with a long tail bordered by fins and external gills soon replaced by internal gills and that undergoes a metamorphosis to the adult

Illustration of tadpole

• tadpole in stages

Examples of tadpole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

All frogs, tadpoles, or other animals caught are released, Spaur said. —Thomas Goodwin Smith, Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. 2024

Frogs and toads go from being tadpoles who only have gills to growing lungs. —Beth Lipoff, Kansas City Star, 10 May 2024

See baby tadpoles and salamander larvae swimming around. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Apr. 2024

Since then, the clip has been watched more than 2.2 million times, and spawned imitators like so many schools of tadpoles. —Emily Heil, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English taddepol, from tode toad + polle head

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tadpole

noun

tad·​pole ˈtad-ˌpōl 

: the larva of a frog or toad that has a rounded body and a long tail, breathes with gills, and lives in water

called also pollywog

Etymology

Middle English taddepol "tadpole," from tode "toad" and polle "head"

Word Origin

A young tadpole looks like a large head with a tail. In time it will develop back legs and then front legs. Finally it will lose its tail and become a toad or a frog. Our word for this immature form of a toad or frog comes from Middle English taddepol. This word was a combination of two others, tode, meaning "toad," and polle, meaning "head."