water bear

American  

noun

Zoology.

1. a tardigrade.

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water bear British  

noun

1. another name for a tardigrade

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water bear Scientific  

1. See tardigrade

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Etymology

Origin of water bear

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

Do you know the creature called a water bear; a tardigrade?

From The Verge • Feb. 28, 2018

For years scientists had thought that the water bear relied on a sugar called trehalose to preserve its cells during desiccation.

From New York Times • Mar. 16, 2017

There, hanging above you, is a simulacrum of a tardigrade, otherwise known as a water bear or moss piglet, at about 5,000 times larger than life-size.

From New York Times • Apr. 2, 2015

Wait, though, because in the lichen lurks a tiny beastie called a tardigrade, or water bear.

From The Guardian • Jan. 21, 2013

"Anyway, why would you want to be that thing? The water bear or whatever. Can't nobody even see it. At least we can see boogers."

From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds