polyp

Everyday

1. A polyp is a small sea animal with a tube-shaped body and a mouth ringed with tentacles; coral and sea anemones are made of polyps. tree →
2. (medicine) A polyp is a small lump that grows inside the body, for example in the nose or gut. tree →

In the lessons

In science, coral reefs are built by millions of tiny coral polyps that make limestone skeletons. Hydra is a freshwater polyp. In health, doctors check and sometimes remove polyps.

Examples

• A coral reef is made of tiny polyps. tree →
• Each coral polyp catches food with its tentacles. tree →
• The doctor found a small polyp in his nose. tree →
• Polyps build their homes from limestone. tree →
• A sea anemone is a large polyp. tree →
• Coral polyps live with algae inside them. tree →

Note

Countable. Pronounced «POL-ip». Coral is an animal, not a plant or a rock.