1. plural of polychaete; marine worms of the class Polychaeta, characterized by numerous bristle-like structures (setae) on their body segments.
Usage: biology; zoology; plural form

Examples

• Polychetes are found in nearly every marine environment, from shallow tide pools to the deep ocean.
• The researcher studied polychetes to understand how they adapt to different ocean conditions.
• Many polychetes are burrowing worms that create tubes in the seafloor.
• Polychetes play an important role in marine food webs as both predators and prey.
• The bristles on polychetes help them move through sand and sediment.