water bear

noun

, Zoology.

1. a tardigrade.

water bear

noun

1. another name for a tardigrade

water bear

1. See tardigrade

Word History and Origins

Origin of water bear¹

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

Dr. Diane R. Nelson, a professor emerita of biology at East Tennessee State University who also was not involved in the study, said this research is "significant" because it provides this useful context in understanding water bear origins despite the intrinsic logistical difficulties involved in acquiring relevant raw data.

From Salon

Spectrogram images of water bear this out with Rothko-like washes of color — no jagged peaks or intensely blurred lines but rather a soothing canvas.

From Washington Post

"Hold up....First of all, I ain't no ugly thing. Just so we clear. But I'm that. A water bear."

From Literature

"Yeah, water bear," TJ said, chuckling.

From Literature

"Anyway, why would you want to be that thing? The water bear or whatever. Can't nobody even see it. At least we can see boogers."

From Literature