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.
In exchange, the ants aggressively protect their host plants from leaf-eating insects such as caterpillars.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 6, 2026
The meadow was established in 2023 as part of a scheme to encourage people to grow plants that provide food for caterpillars.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
Julie was raising some caterpillars too, and she cared a lot about them.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026
The birds thrive in lowland heath habitats, nesting in the dense gorse, where they also hunt for spiders and caterpillars.
From BBC ● May 29, 2026
“Besides, I’m not sure I’m going to help you any more at all, after the way you’ve behaved; and calling me those horrid names, that’s like putting caterpillars in somebody’s hair.”
From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander
