any invertebrate of the phylum Cnidaria (formerly Coelenterata), having a saclike body with a single opening (mouth), which occurs in polyp and medusa forms. Coelenterates include the hydra, jellyfishes, sea anemones, and corals
adjective
2.
(loosely) any invertebrate of the phyla Cnidaria or Ctenophora
3.
of or relating to coelenterates
Derived forms
coelenteric (ˌsiːlɛnˈtɛrɪk)
adjective
Word origin
C19: from New Latin Coelenterata, hollow-intestined (creatures); see coel-, enteron
coelenterate in American English
(sɪˈlɛntərɪt; sɪˈlɛntərˌeɪt)
noun
cnidarian
Word origin
< ModL Coelenterata < coelenteron: see coelenteron