1 whirligig beetle | Definition of whirligig beetle

whirligig beetle

noun

Definition of whirligig beetle

: any of a family (Gyrinidae) of beetles with two pairs of eyes and clubbed antennae that live mostly on the surface of water where they swim swiftly about in circles

Examples of whirligig beetle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Consider whirligig beetles, which Eisner and Dr. Meinwald studied in the early 1970s. Kenneth Chang, BostonGlobe.com, "Jerrold Meinwald, 91, dies; studied creatures’ chemical signals," 16 May 2018 Consider whirligig beetles, which Dr. Eisner and Dr. Meinwald studied in the early 1970s. Kenneth Chang, New York Times, "Jerrold Meinwald, 91, Dies; Studied Creatures’ Chemical Signals," 14 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'whirligig beetle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of whirligig beetle

1855, in the meaning defined above

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More from Merriam-Webster on whirligig beetle

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about whirligig beetle