cephalopod: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Academic / Technical
Quick answer
What does “cephalopod” mean?
A marine mollusc of a large class (Cephalopoda) that comprises octopuses, squid, cuttlefish, and nautiloids, having a distinct head, large eyes, and tentacles.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A marine mollusc of a large class (Cephalopoda) that comprises octopuses, squid, cuttlefish, and nautiloids, having a distinct head, large eyes, and tentacles.
Any member of the highly intelligent and often predatory class Cephalopoda, characterized by bilateral body symmetry, a prominent head, and a set of arms or tentacles modified from the molluscan foot.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; the word is identical in spelling and use. Pronunciation differs slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
Identical technical/academic connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency, technical term in both UK and US English.
Grammar
How to Use “cephalopod” in a Sentence
cephalopod + [of + specific group] (e.g., cephalopod of the deep sea)[adjective] + cephalopodVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cephalopod” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The exhibit focused on cephalopod anatomy.
- They studied cephalopod behaviour patterns.
American English
- The research paper detailed cephalopod evolution.
- Cephalopod nervous systems are highly complex.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused.
Academic
Common in marine biology, zoology, and paleontology texts.
Everyday
Rare; used primarily by enthusiasts or in educational contexts like documentaries.
Technical
Standard, precise term for the class Cephalopoda.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cephalopod”
- Misspelling as 'cephalapod' or 'cefalopod'.
- Using it as a synonym for any sea creature with tentacles.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, an octopus is a cephalopod. Cephalopoda is the class that includes octopuses, squid, cuttlefish, and nautiluses.
It comes from Greek 'kephalē' meaning 'head' and 'pous' (pod-) meaning 'foot'. It refers to how the animal's limbs (tentacles/arms) are attached directly to its head.
Yes, cephalopods, particularly octopuses and cuttlefish, are considered the most intelligent invertebrates. They exhibit complex behaviours such as problem-solving, tool use, and learning.
Yes, it can function attributively as an adjective (e.g., 'cephalopod species', 'cephalopod intelligence'). There is no dedicated separate adjective form.
A marine mollusc of a large class (Cephalopoda) that comprises octopuses, squid, cuttlefish, and nautiloids, having a distinct head, large eyes, and tentacles.
Cephalopod is usually academic / technical in register.
Cephalopod: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɛfələ(ʊ)pɒd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɛfələˌpɑd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CEPHALO' (like in 'encephalon' meaning brain/head) + 'POD' (like in 'pod' or foot). A 'head-foot' creature, which describes their anatomy where the tentacles emerge from the head.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often metaphorically referenced as a 'master of disguise' or 'alien of the deep' due to their camouflage abilities and unusual appearance.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is NOT a cephalopod?