coelom

noun

coe·​lom ˈsē-ləm How to pronounce coelom (audio)
plural coeloms also coelomata si-ˈlō-mə-tə How to pronounce coelom (audio)
: the usually epithelium-lined space between the body wall and the digestive tract of metazoans above the lower worms
coelomate adjective or noun
coelomic adjective

Examples of coelom in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The researchers could now see that the objects were moving inside the starfish's coelom, the body cavity that extends into its arms. Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 19 June 2015 The virus must then not only survive the digestive process, but replicate within the mosquito and pass through the gut wall to the coelom (main body cavity) of the mosquito. Claire Gillespie, Health.com, 21 May 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'coelom.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

German, from Greek koilōma cavity, from koilos

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of coelom was in 1875

Dictionary Entries Near coelom

Cite this Entry

“Coelom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coelom. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

coelom

noun
coe·​lom ˈsē-ləm How to pronounce coelom (audio)
: the fluid-filled body cavity of an animal that contains the internal organs (as the heart, lungs, and kidneys)

Medical Definition

coelom

noun
coe·​lom ˈsē-ləm How to pronounce coelom (audio)
plural coeloms also coelomata si-ˈlō-mət-ə How to pronounce coelom (audio)
: the usually epithelium-lined body cavity of metazoans above the lower worms that forms a large space when well developed between the digestive tract and the body wall
coelomate adjective or noun
coelomic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on coelom

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!