protozoan
[ proh-tuh-zoh-uhn ]
/ ˌproʊ təˈzoʊ ən /
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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.
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Origin of protozoan
First recorded in 1860–65; Protozo(a) + -an
Words nearby protozoan
prototypical, protovertebra, protoxide, protoxylem, Protozoa, protozoan, protozoiasis, protozoicide, protozoology, protozoon, protozoophage
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use protozoan in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for protozoan
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
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Medical definitions for protozoan
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.
Other words from protozoan
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.
Scientific definitions for protozoan
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.