noun
- an animal with a segmented body, jointed legs, and an external skeleton, such as an insect, spider, or crustacean
Usage: scientific classification term; commonly taught in biology
Examples
- Insects, spiders, and crabs are all examples of arthropods.
- Arthropods make up the largest group of animals on Earth.
- The beetle is an arthropod with six legs and a hard outer shell.
- Arthropods have jointed appendages that allow them to move with great flexibility.
- Scientists estimate that arthropods account for over 80 percent of all known animal species.
- A lobster is a marine arthropod with ten legs.