copepod

American  

[koh-puh-pod] / ˈkoʊ pəˌpɒd /

noun

1. any of numerous tiny marine or freshwater crustaceans of the order (or subclass) Copepoda, lacking compound eyes or a carapace and usually having six pairs of limbs on the thorax, some abundant in plankton and others parasitic on fish.

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copepod British  

/ ˈkəʊpɪˌpɒd /

noun

1. any minute free-living or parasitic crustacean of the subclass Copepoda of marine and fresh waters: an important constituent of plankton

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adjective

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

copepod Scientific  

/ kō′pə-pŏd′ /

1. Any of various very small crustaceans of the subclass Copepoda, having an elongated body and a forked tail. Unlike most crustaceans, copepods lack a carapace over the back and do not have compound eyes. They are abundant in both salt and fresh water, and are an important food source for many water animals. Copepods include the water fleas.

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Etymology

Origin of copepod

1830–40; < New Latin Copepoda name of the order < Greek kṓpē a handle, oar + -poda -poda

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

copepod

Take the copepod, a type of zooplankton that is a distant relative of crabs and lobsters.

From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2025

When ready for its next host, the larva makes the copepod twitch.

From Scientific American ● Sep. 29, 2022

When warmer water moved north to Alaska, it also carried in different, less nutritious copepod species.

From Science Magazine ● Jan. 31, 2019

Researchers at the universities and Reed all have been studying copepod culture for some time, “so we’re not having to start from scratch,” Blaylock said.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 4, 2017

The first included five Cypris; a large copepod and a Diaptomus; the second, four Cypris; the third, a single rather large crustacean; the fourth, six crustaceans; and the fifth, ten.

From Insectivorous Plants by Charles Darwin

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