Meaning & use
arthropods
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“arthropods” is a form of “arthropod”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
nounpluralbiologytechnical
A large group of animals with hard outer shells, jointed legs, and bodies divided into sections; includes insects, spiders, and crabs.
Grammar: Plural noun; the singular is arthropod. Used with plural verbs: Arthropods are diverse.
Patterns
- arthropods are...
- many arthropods
- species of arthropods
Arthropods make up more than 80% of all known animal species.
Crabs, spiders, and butterflies are all arthropods.
The museum has a large collection of fossil arthropods.
Word forms
| singular | arthropod |
|---|
Common combinations
- arthropod species
- New arthropod species are discovered every year in tropical forests.
- terrestrial arthropods
- Terrestrial arthropods like insects live on land.
- aquatic arthropods
- Aquatic arthropods such as crabs have gills.
- the study of arthropods
- Entomology is the study of arthropods, especially insects.
Synonyms and how they differ
- insects
- Insects are a type of arthropod, but not all arthropods are insects; use insects for the six-legged group only.
- crustaceans
- Crustaceans are another subgroup of arthropods; use crustaceans for crabs, lobsters, and shrimp.
Word family
- arthropod noun
- A single animal of this group.
- arthropodan adjective
- Relating to arthropods (less common).
Practice
Which sentence uses 'arthropods' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Arthropods' is a plural noun, so it takes a plural verb and no article: 'Arthropods include...' is correct. 'An arthropods' and 'an arthropods' are wrong because 'arthropods' is plural. 'Arthropods is' is wrong because the verb should be 'are'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “arthropods”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.