Metazoa

[ met-uh-zoh-uh ]

/ ˌmɛt əˈzoʊ ə /

noun

a zoological group comprising the multicellular animals.

Origin of Metazoa

From New Latin, dating back to 1870–75; see origin at meta-, -zoa

Related formsmet·a·zo·an, adjective, nounmet·a·zo·ic, met·a·zo·al, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for metazoan

In the Metazoan body each cell performs, in co-operation with many other similar cells, some one special function or process.
Elementary Zoology, Second Edition|Vernon L. Kellogg

British Dictionary definitions for metazoan

metazoan

/ (ˌmɛtəˈzəʊən) /

noun

any multicellular animal of the group Metazoa : includes all animals except sponges

adjective Also: metazoic

of, relating to, or belonging to the Metazoa

Word Origin for metazoan

C19: from New Latin Metazoa; see meta-, -zoa

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for metazoan

Metazoa

[ mĕt′ə-zō′ə ]

n.

A subdivision of the animal kingdom that includes all multicellular animal organisms having cells that are differentiated and form tissues and organs.

Related formsmet′a•zo′an adj. n.

Science definitions for metazoan

metazoan

[ mĕt′ə-zō′ən ]

Any of the animals belonging to the subkingdom Metazoa, having a body made up of differentiated cells arranged in tissues and organs. All multicellular animals besides sponges are metazoans.

A multicellular animal. No longer in scientific use.