Illustration of amoeba
- 1 pseudopodium
- 2 nucleus
- 3 contractile vacuole
- 4 food vacuole
variants
or less commonly ameba
plural amoebas or amoebae also amebas or amebae
ə-ˈmē-(ˌ)bē 
: any of a large genus (Amoeba) of naked rhizopod protozoans with lobed and never anastomosing pseudopodia, without permanent organelles or supporting structures, and of wide distribution in fresh and salt water and moist terrestrial environments
broadly
: a naked rhizopod or other amoeboid protozoan
amoebic
adjective
or less commonly amebic
ə-ˈmē-bik
Examples of amoeba in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The patient was treated for a potential infection of primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare, deadly brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, also known as the brain-eating amoeba.
—
Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2025
Lab tests confirmed the amoeba in the woman's cerebrospinal fluid, according to the report.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 5 June 2025
The dormant amoeba has been seen in UK water treatment sites in London and Nottingham.
—Harriet Marsden, The Week Uk, theweek, 12 Aug. 2024
Floundering in his career and stressed about planning his wedding, Yvan’s woes compound when his oldest friends turn their insults on him, calling him a coward, an amoeba and a fan of motel art.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for amoeba
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Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2025
Lab tests confirmed the amoeba in the woman's cerebrospinal fluid, according to the report.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 5 June 2025
The dormant amoeba has been seen in UK water treatment sites in London and Nottingham.
—Harriet Marsden, The Week Uk, theweek, 12 Aug. 2024
Floundering in his career and stressed about planning his wedding, Yvan’s woes compound when his oldest friends turn their insults on him, calling him a coward, an amoeba and a fan of motel art.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for amoeba
Cite this Entry
“Amoeba.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amoeba. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
amoeba
noun
amoe·ba
variants
also ameba
ə-ˈmē-bə
plural amoebas or amoebae
-(ˌ)bē
: any of a large genus of protozoans that have no permanent cell organs or structures, that change shape to form temporary lobes for moving and taking in food, and that are widespread in fresh and salt water and in moist soils
Medical Definition
amoeba
noun
amoe·ba
ə-ˈmē-bə
1
capitalized
: a large genus of naked rhizopod protozoans that have lobed and never anastomosing pseudopodia and are widely distributed in fresh and salt water and moist terrestrial environments
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