definitions

Protozoa

[ proh-tuh-zoh-uh ]
/ ˌproʊ təˈzoʊ ə /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR Protozoa ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a major grouping or superphylum of the kingdom Protista, comprising the protozoans.

RELATED WORDS

cell, flagellate, organism, plasmodium, ameba, euglena, paramecium, ciliate, amoeba, sporozoan, stentor

Origin of Protozoa

From New Latin, dating back to 1825–35; see origin at proto-, -zoa

Definition for protozoa (2 of 3)

protozoan

[ proh-tuh-zoh-uh n ]
/ ˌproʊ təˈzoʊ ən /
Biology

noun, plural pro·to·zo·ans, (especially collectively) pro·to·zo·a [proh-tuh-zoh-uh] /ˌproʊ təˈzoʊ ə/.

any of a diverse group of eukaryotes, of the kingdom Protista, that are primarily unicellular, existing singly or aggregating into colonies, are usually nonphotosynthetic, and are often classified further into phyla according to their capacity for and means of motility, as by pseudopods, flagella, or cilia.

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of a protozoan.

Origin of protozoan

First recorded in 1860–65; Protozo(a) + -an

Definition for protozoa (3 of 3)

protozoon

[ proh-tuh-zoh-on, -uh n ]
/ ˌproʊ təˈzoʊ ɒn, -ən /

noun, plural pro·to·zo·a [proh-tuh-zoh-uh] /ˌproʊ təˈzoʊ ə/.

protozoan.

Origin of protozoon

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

Examples from the Web for protozoa

British Dictionary definitions for protozoa

protozoan

/ (ˌprəʊtəˈzəʊən) /

noun plural -zoa (-ˈzəʊə) or -zoans

Also called: protozoon (ˌprəʊtəˈzəʊɒn) plural -zoa any of various minute unicellular organisms formerly regarded as invertebrates of the phylum Protozoa but now usually classified in certain phyla of protoctists. Protozoans include flagellates, ciliates, sporozoans, amoebas, and foraminifers

adjective Also: protozoic

of or relating to protozoans

Word Origin for protozoan

C19: via New Latin from Greek proto- + zoion animal
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 protozoa (1 of 2)

protozoa

[ prō′tə-zō′ə ]

n.

Plural ofprotozoan

Medicine definitions for protozoa (2 of 2)

protozoan

[ prō′tə-zō′ən ]

n. pl. pro•to•zo•a (-zō′ə)

Any of a group of single-celled, usually microscopic, eukaryotic organisms, such as amoebas, ciliates, flagellates, and sporozoans.

Related forms

pro′to•zo′an null null adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for protozoa

protozoan

[ prō′tə-zō′ən ]

Plural protozoans protozoa

Any of a large group of one-celled organisms (called protists) that live in water or as parasites. Many protozoans move about by means of appendages known as cilia or flagella. Protozoans include the amoebas, flagellates, foraminiferans, and ciliates. Their traditional classification as the subkingdom Protozoa is still used for convenience, but it is now known that protozoans represent several evolutionarily distinct groups. See more at protist.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Culture definitions for protozoa

protozoa

[ (proh-tuh-zoh-uh) ]

Single-celled animals, such as amoebas, that are the most primitive form of animal life. In modern biology, they are classified in the kingdom of Protoctista rather than in the animal kingdom. (See Linnean classification.)

Note

Some protozoa are parasites and may be pathogenic, causing diseases such as malaria and dysentery.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.