1
capitalized
[Latin, from Greek Medousa]
: a mortal Gorgon who is slain when decapitated by Perseus
2
plural medusae
mi-ˈdü-ˌsē 
-ˈdyü-,
-ˌzē,
-ˌsī,
-ˌzī
also medusas
[New Latin, from Latin]
: the typically free-swimming, bell-shaped, usually sexually-reproducing, solitary or colonial form of a cnidarian (such as an obelia, box jellyfish, or sea nettle) in which nematocyst-studded tentacles arise and hang down from the margin of the nearly transparent, gelatinous bell see jellyfish
Examples of medusa in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The polyp stage is a precursor to the medusa stage, Folino-Rorem said, when jellyfish are more visible.
—
Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2025
Jelly Fish with a Red Cross In 2024, an international research team discovered a new species of medusa jellyfish in the Pacific Ocean.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 25 Dec. 2024
The polyps later morph into the recognizable, free-floating jellyfish forms known as medusas.
—Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Dec. 2024
Only four tentacles extend from the body to create the entire jellyfish, called a medusa, according to the study.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 2 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for medusa
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Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2025
Jelly Fish with a Red Cross In 2024, an international research team discovered a new species of medusa jellyfish in the Pacific Ocean.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 25 Dec. 2024
The polyps later morph into the recognizable, free-floating jellyfish forms known as medusas.
—Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Dec. 2024
Only four tentacles extend from the body to create the entire jellyfish, called a medusa, according to the study.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 2 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for medusa
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Cite this Entry
“Medusa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medusa. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
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