isopod

American  

[ahy-suh-pod] / ˈaɪ səˌpɒd /

noun

1. any freshwater, marine, or terrestrial crustacean of the order or suborder Isopoda, having seven pairs of legs typically adapted for crawling, and a dorsoventrally flattened body, and including wood lice, several aquatic parasites of crabs and shrimps, and numerous swimming or bottom-dwelling species.

---

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Isopoda.

2. having the feet all alike, or similar in character.

isopod British  

/ ˈaɪsəʊˌpɒd, aɪˈsɒpədən /

noun

1. any crustacean of the order Isopoda, including woodlice and pill bugs, in which the body is flattened dorsoventrally

---

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Isopoda

isopod Scientific  

/ ī′sə-pŏd′ /

1. Any of numerous mostly small crustaceans of the order Isopoda, characterized by a flattened body usually bearing seven pairs of legs. Isopods include the sow bugs, pill bugs, and gribbles.

---

Other Word Forms

• isopodan
  adjective
• isopodous
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of isopod

From the New Latin word Isopoda, dating back to 1825–35. See iso-, -pod

Example Sentences

Steve Gregory, who runs the British Myriapod and Isopod Group's recording scheme, said the Scutigera coleoptrata was commonly known as the house centipede.

From BBC • May 10, 2025

These are the plate-like swimmerets and opercula of Gigantostraca and Limulus among Arachnids and of Isopod Crustaceans.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 6 "Armour Plates" to "Arundel, Earls of" by Various

The latter, as is well known, is the only Isopod which possesses a secondary flagellum on the anterior antennae.

From Facts and Arguments for Darwin by Muller, Fritz

Isopod, ī′so-pod, n. a crustacean whose legs are all alike, any one of the Isop′oda, an order of higher Crustaceans in the division with unstalked eyes.—adjs.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various