1. vertebrate animals having four limbs or descended from four-limbed ancestors, including amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals
Usage: biological term
2. four-legged concrete blocks used in coastal engineering to prevent erosion and break waves
Usage: engineering term

Examples

• Tetrapods evolved from fish approximately 365 million years ago.
• Birds are tetrapods even though they have wings instead of four legs.
• The study of tetrapods includes examining fossils of early amphibians.
• Engineers placed thousands of tetrapods along the shoreline to protect against storm surge.
• The harbor was reinforced with concrete tetrapods to reduce wave damage.
• Tetrapods are commonly used in Japan for coastal protection.
• All mammals, reptiles, birds, and amphibians belong to the tetrapod group.