caterpillar
noun
the wormlike larva of a butterfly or a moth.
caterpillars
-
pluralof caterpillar.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He said there should be an emphasis on "preserving natural field which provides habitat for insects, bugs, moths and caterpillars that need to incubate underground there."
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
Julie was raising some caterpillars too, and she cared a lot about them.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026
"The caterpillars look like leaves, the chrysalis like bird droppings, and the adults stay high in trees," he explained.
From BBC ● Jun. 14, 2026
OPM caterpillars were first accidentally introduced to England in 2005 and the species is subject to a government-led programme of survey and control to minimise its population, spread and impacts, says a Forest Research spokesperson.
From BBC ● May 28, 2026
Then the workers, foraging ceaselessly through the hot days of summer, will destroy countless caterpillars.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
