radial symmetry

noun

, Biology.

1. a basic body plan in which the organism can be divided into similar halves by passing a plane at any angle along a central axis, characteristic of sessile and bottom-dwelling animals, as the sea anemone and starfish.

radial symmetry

noun

1. a type of structure of an organism or part of an organism in which a vertical cut through the axis in any of two or more planes produces two halves that are mirror images of each other Compare bilateral symmetry

radial symmetry

1. Symmetrical arrangement of parts of an organism around a single main axis, so that the organism can be divided into similar halves by any plane that contains the main axis. The body plans of echinoderms, ctenophores, cnidarians, and many sponges and sea anemones show radial symmetry.
2. Compare bilateral symmetry

Word History and Origins

Origin of radial symmetry¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

But starfish—as well as sand dollars and sea anemones—have radial symmetry, with identical segments of their body radiating out from a central point.

From Scientific American

The end result, constructed at Harvard, resembled the nave of a cathedral built by aliens to worship radial symmetry, or an iron maiden for punishing giant cubes.

From New York Times

Stranger still, this "handedness" is the only feature that breaks the comb jelly's radial symmetry.

From Salon

If a vertebrate had for some reason adopted radial symmetry, could we have seen equally surprising ways of seeing in our own ranks?

From Scientific American

The plan involves bilateral symmetry, rather than radial symmetry; protective sepals alternating with petals; and usually a special lower petal, called a lip, that can serve as a landing pad for pollinators.

From New York Times