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

Fish and futility The research involved the larval zebrafish, which is smaller than a grain of rice and looks like a tadpole. —Jon Hamilton, NPR, 7 Jan. 2025

The fossil shared similar characteristics to a modern-day tadpole. —Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 15 Nov. 2024

Scientists have previously suggested that the key features of tadpoles likely evolved around the boundary between the Triassic and Jurassic Periods (that is, 201.4 million years ago). —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024

In fact, the traveling toads have developed a form of population control of their own, killing their tadpoles to keep a check on the numbers. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 30 Oct. 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."