starfish

[ stahr-fish ]
/ ˈstɑrˌfɪʃ /

noun, plural (especially collectively) star·fish, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) star·fish·es.

any echinoderm of the class Asteroidea, having the body radially arranged, usually in the form of a star, with five or more rays or arms radiating from a central disk; asteroid.
Also called sea star.

Origin of starfish

First recorded in 1530–40; star + fish

Example sentences from the Web for starfish

British Dictionary definitions for starfish

starfish
/ (ˈstɑːˌfɪʃ) /

noun plural -fish or -fishes

any echinoderm of the class Asteroidea, such as Asterias rubens, typically having a flattened body covered with a flexible test and five arms radiating from a central disc

Scientific definitions for starfish

starfish
[ stärfĭsh′ ]

Any of various marine echinoderms of the class Asteroidea, having a star-shaped body usually with five arms. The arms have rows of little suckers on the undersides, called tube feet, with which the animal moves around and grasps prey. Many species extrude their stomach onto prey and digest it externally. Starfish can grow new arms if any are lost, and in one species, a whole individual can be regenerated from a single piece of arm. Starfish are related to sea urchins and sea cucumbers.