metazoa: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / TechnicalFormal, Scientific
Quick answer
What does “metazoa” mean?
The scientific taxonomic group comprising all multicellular animals whose cells are differentiated into tissues and organs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The scientific taxonomic group comprising all multicellular animals whose cells are differentiated into tissues and organs.
Can be used as a noun or a taxonomic descriptor to refer to the kingdom Animalia as a whole (excluding single-celled animals like protozoa). In technical contexts, sometimes used metaphorically to denote complex, multicellular systems in non-biological fields.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in use. Spelling and usage are identical. Pronunciation differences follow standard patterns for vowel and stress.
Connotations
None beyond scientific meaning.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialised in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “metazoa” in a Sentence
N/A (noun)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “metazoa” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The metazoan body plan is highly diverse.
- Metazoan phylogeny is a complex field of study.
American English
- Metazoan development involves complex gene regulation.
- Fossil evidence for early metazoan life is scarce.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Core term in biological sciences, specifically in zoology, evolutionary biology, and palaeontology.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Primary context. Used in scientific papers, textbooks, and classification systems.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “metazoa”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “metazoa”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “metazoa”
- Using it as a singular noun (e.g., 'a metazoa' is incorrect; use 'a metazoan').
- Pronouncing the 'z' as /z/ in British English (it's a voiceless /s/ in the standard RP pronunciation).
- Confusing it with 'protozoa' or 'mesozoa'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a plural noun. The singular form is 'metazoan' (e.g., 'a complex metazoan').
Yes, humans, along with all other multicellular animals, are classified within the kingdom Metazoa (Animalia).
Protozoa are single-celled, eukaryotic organisms (protists), often classified separately. Metazoa are multicellular animals. Historically, 'protozoa' were considered simple animals, but modern taxonomy places them in different groups.
You would only use it in formal scientific writing or discussion, specifically within biology, zoology, or palaeontology. It is not a word for everyday conversation.
The scientific taxonomic group comprising all multicellular animals whose cells are differentiated into tissues and organs.
Metazoa is usually formal, scientific in register.
Metazoa: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɛtəˈzəʊə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɛdəˈzoʊə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: META (beyond or more complex) + ZOA (from 'zoa' meaning animals, like in protozoa). So, 'metazoa' are animals beyond the simple, single-celled ones.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A (Highly technical, literal term)
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary distinction of Metazoa?