plantigrade

adjective

plan·​ti·​grade ˈplan-tə-ˌgrād How to pronounce plantigrade (audio)
: walking on the sole with the heel touching the ground
humans are plantigrade
plantigrade noun

Word History

Etymology

French, from Latin planta sole + French -grade

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of plantigrade was in 1827

Dictionary Entries Near plantigrade

Cite this Entry

“Plantigrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plantigrade. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

plantigrade

adjective
plan·​ti·​grade ˈplan-tə-ˌgrād How to pronounce plantigrade (audio)
: walking on the sole with the heel touching the ground
human beings are plantigrade

Medical Definition

plantigrade

adjective
plan·​ti·​grade ˈplant-ə-ˌgrād How to pronounce plantigrade (audio)
: walking on the sole with the heel touching the ground
humans are plantigrade animals
compare digitigrade
plantigrade noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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