tardigrade

American  

[tahr-di-greyd] / ˈtɑr dɪˌgreɪd /

noun

1. Also called bear animalcule, water bear.  any microscopic, chiefly herbivorous invertebrate of the phylum Tardigrada, living in water, on mosses, lichens, etc.

---

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the phylum Tardigrada.

2. slow in pace or movement.

tardigrade British  

/ ˈtɑːdɪˌɡreɪd /

noun

1. Popular name: water bear.  any minute aquatic segmented eight-legged invertebrate of the phylum Tardigrada, related to the arthropods, occurring in soil, ditches, etc

---

adjective

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

tardigrade Scientific  

/ tär′dĭ-grād′ /

1. Any of various slow-moving, minute invertebrates of the phylum Tardigrada. Tardigrades have a head and four fused body segments, each of which has a pair of stubby legs ending in claws. They live in water, damp moss, flower petals, or sand, and are usually 1 mm (0.04 inches) or less in size. Tardigrades are able to resist extremely low temperature, pressure, and humidity, and go into dormant states for months or years. They are believed to be intermediate in evolutionary development between annelids and arthropods.

2. Also called water bear

---

Etymology

Origin of tardigrade

First recorded in 1615–25, tardigrade is from the Latin word tardigradus slow-paced. See tardy, -grade

Example Sentences

In another study, one species of tardigrade revived after 20 years as a dried-out little ball.

From Salon • Apr. 20, 2025

Importantly, the research shows that the whole process is reversible: "When the stress is relieved, the tardigrade gels dissolve, and the human cells return to their normal metabolism," Boothby says.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2024

At the time the video was recorded, the Trump and American flags flanked the silhouette of the tardigrade with the words, “Live Tiny, Die Never” and a series of initials.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 12, 2023

It is also possible that there are samples, even if millions of years old, that contain naturally dehydrated animals like the tardigrade.

From Scientific American • Aug. 11, 2019

They had started simultaneously, and in thirty-four days the main body had marched 300 miles, but the tardigrade Natal Army was now on Lord Roberts' right rear.

From A Handbook of the Boer War With General Map of South Africa and 18 Sketch Maps and Plans by