starfish

American  

[stahr-fish] / ˈstɑrˌfɪʃ /

noun

plural

starfish,

plural

starfishes

1. any echinoderm of the class Asteroidea, having the body radially arranged, usually in the form of a star, with five or more rays or arms radiating from a central disk; asteroid.

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starfish British  

/ ˈstɑːˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. any echinoderm of the class Asteroidea , such as Asterias rubens , typically having a flattened body covered with a flexible test and five arms radiating from a central disc

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starfish Scientific  

/ stär′fĭsh′ /

1. Any of various marine echinoderms of the class Asteroidea, having a star-shaped body usually with five arms. The arms have rows of little suckers on the undersides, called tube feet, with which the animal moves around and grasps prey. Many species extrude their stomach onto prey and digest it externally. Starfish can grow new arms if any are lost, and in one species, a whole individual can be regenerated from a single piece of arm. Starfish are related to sea urchins and sea cucumbers.

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Etymology

Origin of starfish

First recorded in 1530–40; star + fish

Example Sentences

"An inspection of the sites took place this morning and at this juncture it's best to let the natural coastal process reclaim the dead starfish, however we will monitor the situation."

From BBC

There has been some success with the Australian government's crown-of-thorns starfish culling programme, which has killed over 50,000 starfish by injecting them with vinegar or ox bile.

From BBC

We’re in matching pajamas — burgundy, orange, brown — spread like starfish across the heated floor.

From Los Angeles Times

However, she added, if the starfish population could be revived, it could “turn the tide” on resuscitating kelp forests.

From Los Angeles Times

From pilfering chips to swallowing whole starfish, gulls are known for their voracious appetites.

From BBC