cnidarian
/naɪˈdɛriən/
noun
- An animal belonging to the phylum Cnidaria, such as a jellyfish, coral, or sea anemone, that has stinging cells and a simple body structure.
- Jellyfish are cnidarians that drift through the ocean using their tentacles to catch prey.
- Coral reefs are built by tiny cnidarians called coral polyps.
- A sea anemone is a colorful cnidarian that attaches itself to rocks or the ocean floor.
adjective
- Relating to or characteristic of the cnidarians.
- Many cnidarian species have a life cycle that alternates between a polyp and a medusa stage.
- Scientists study cnidarian nerve nets to understand simple nervous systems.
- The cnidarian body plan includes a central mouth surrounded by tentacles.