metazoan

/ ˌmɛtəˈzəʊən /

noun

1. any multicellular animal of the group Metazoa : includes all animals except sponges

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Metazoa

metazoan

/ mĕt′ə-zō′ən /

1. Any of the animals belonging to the subkingdom Metazoa, having a body made up of differentiated cells arranged in tissues and organs. All multicellular animals besides sponges are metazoans.
2. A multicellular animal. No longer in scientific use.

Word History and Origins

Origin of metazoan¹

C19: from New Latin Metazoa; see meta- , -zoa

Example Sentences

In the Metazoan body each cell performs, in co-operation with many other similar cells, some one special function or process.

From Project Gutenberg