caterpillar
1 of 2noun
cat·er·pil·lar ˈka-tər-ˌpi-lər 
-tə-
often attributive
: the elongated wormlike larva of a butterfly or moth
also : any of various similar larvae
Caterpillar
2 of 2trademark
—used for a tractor made for use on rough or soft ground and moved on two endless metal belts
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Nick Romano, EW.com, 2 June 2022 There are also tile pieces in the walkway, a play piece that looks like a caterpillar that has bumps that are braille writing, and pieces that are supposed to be the antennas of the snail. Joanne Kempinger Demski, Journal Sentinel, 7 July 2022 See different species of colorful beetles, ants and an ant mound, a cicada, butterflies, a firefly, a stink bug, a ladybug, a peacock jumping spider, a dragonfly, a walking stick, a katydid, a caterpillar and a hissing cockroach. Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 6 July 2022 Those are the cocoons of the wasp larvae that have fed on the caterpillar. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 June 2022 Threats now include hordes of infected and also the occasional kaiju-sized mutant caterpillar. Nick Romano, EW.com, 2 June 2022 The winning caterpillar then earns the right to predict the upcoming winter forecast. Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 June 2022 The browntail moth caterpillar is an invasive pest that can cause a rash and respiratory distress in humans. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 27 May 2022 Legions of precisely uniform spike particles are manufactured not inside chicken eggs but in the cells of the Army caterpillar. Melissa Healy, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2022 See More
Noun
One photo from Resident Evil shows Billie interacting with a caterpillar. Nick Romano, EW.com, 2 June 2022 There are also tile pieces in the walkway, a play piece that looks like a caterpillar that has bumps that are braille writing, and pieces that are supposed to be the antennas of the snail. Joanne Kempinger Demski, Journal Sentinel, 7 July 2022 See different species of colorful beetles, ants and an ant mound, a cicada, butterflies, a firefly, a stink bug, a ladybug, a peacock jumping spider, a dragonfly, a walking stick, a katydid, a caterpillar and a hissing cockroach. Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 6 July 2022 Those are the cocoons of the wasp larvae that have fed on the caterpillar. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 June 2022 Threats now include hordes of infected and also the occasional kaiju-sized mutant caterpillar. Nick Romano, EW.com, 2 June 2022 The winning caterpillar then earns the right to predict the upcoming winter forecast. Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 June 2022 The browntail moth caterpillar is an invasive pest that can cause a rash and respiratory distress in humans. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 27 May 2022 Legions of precisely uniform spike particles are manufactured not inside chicken eggs but in the cells of the Army caterpillar. Melissa Healy, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English catyrpel, from Anglo-French *catepelose, literally, hairy cat
First Known Use
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing caterpillar
Kids Definition
caterpillar
noun
cat·er·pil·lar ˈka-tər-ˌpi-lər
ˈka-tə-ˌpi-
: the wormlike larva of an insect and usually a butterfly or moth