Meaning & use

pseudopod

noun·Advanced

A temporary, arm-like extension of a cell's membrane and cytoplasm used for movement or engulfing food.

See it in a sentence

Under the microscope, the amoeba extended a pseudopod to creep across the slide.

White blood cells use pseudopods to surround and absorb harmful bacteria.

A note on using this word

Pseudopod comes from Greek roots meaning false foot, describing how the temporary bulge functions like a limb even though it is not a fixed structure.

Words with a similar meaning

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