caterpillar: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2neutral
Quick answer
What does “caterpillar” mean?
The larval stage of a butterfly or moth, characterized by a segmented, worm-like body and multiple pairs of legs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The larval stage of a butterfly or moth, characterized by a segmented, worm-like body and multiple pairs of legs.
A name used metaphorically for a tracked vehicle or treaded machinery, most famously the brand 'Caterpillar', known for construction and mining equipment; also used to describe anything resembling the segmented, creeping form of the insect.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in the biological meaning. The brand 'Caterpillar Inc.' is equally known. In informal military slang, 'caterpillar club' refers to pilots who have parachuted from a disabled aircraft, used in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations: childhood, nature, transformation (biological); heavy industry, construction, power (mechanical).
Frequency
Similar high frequency due to common childhood/nature vocabulary and prominent brand.
Grammar
How to Use “caterpillar” in a Sentence
[The] caterpillar [verb] on/up/along [noun] (The caterpillar crawled up the stem).[Noun] is infested with caterpillars.[Noun] is like a caterpillar.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “caterpillar” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The caterpillar track was damaged.
- It had a caterpillar-like motion.
American English
- The Caterpillar equipment arrived on site.
- He wore caterpillar boots for the muddy job.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers almost exclusively to Caterpillar Inc. or its machinery: 'The project requires several Caterpillar excavators.'
Academic
Used in biology/entomology contexts: 'The caterpillar undergoes several instars before pupation.'
Everyday
Refers to the insect encountered in gardens/parks: 'Look, a caterpillar on the leaf!'
Technical
In engineering, describes the continuous tread mechanism: 'The vehicle uses a caterpillar track for mobility.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “caterpillar”
- Spelling: 'caterpiller' (double L is incorrect).
- Using as a verb: 'The machine caterpillared across the field' (non-standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Only when referring specifically to the brand Caterpillar Inc. or its products. The insect is always lowercase.
Yes, in common usage. Technically, 'caterpillar' is the term for the larvae of members of the order Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths).
A caterpillar track (or continuous track) distributes the vehicle's weight over a larger area, providing better traction and flotation on soft ground compared to wheels.
It's a classic that teaches counting, days of the week, healthy eating, and metamorphosis, making it a foundational educational tool in early childhood literacy.
The larval stage of a butterfly or moth, characterized by a segmented, worm-like body and multiple pairs of legs.
Caterpillar is usually neutral in register.
Caterpillar: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkætəpɪlə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkætərpɪlər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The Very Hungry Caterpillar (from the famous children's book)”
- “caterpillar club (aviation slang)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a cat ('cater') and a pillar ('pillar'). A cat is chasing a caterpillar crawling up a pillar.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROGRESS IS A CATERPILLAR'S MOVEMENT (slow, steady, segmented); INDUSTRIAL POWER IS A CATERPILLAR (heavy, treaded, unstoppable).
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is a primary metaphorical use of 'caterpillar'?