Illustration of nudibranch
nudibranch
noun
nu·di·branch
ˈnü-də-ˌbraŋk 
ˈnyü-
plural nudibranchs
: any of an order (Nudibranchia) of marine opisthobranch mollusks without a shell in the adult state and without true gills
nudibranch
adjective
Examples of nudibranch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sea pens can produce a bioluminescent glow when disturbed, flashing a greenish light to startle predators such as sea stars and nudibranchs.
—
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
Historically, the Hopkins Rose nudibranch has lived in Southern California — and ventured up to Johnson’s more northern tidepools mostly during El Niño years.
—Byrd Pinkerton, Vox, 1 Apr. 2025
Two nudibranch use their extended gonophors to mate, while simultaneously enjoying the delights of a good meal of green tendrils.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
The animal features a unique grab bag of traits of other nudibranchs, says study co-author and MBARI marine biologist Steven Haddock.
—Jude Coleman, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025
Or hop aboard a day dive charter to see the wonders of Anacapa, where Spanish shawl nudibranch and California sheephead move through towering kelp forests.
—Alexandra Gillespie, Outside Online, 16 Dec. 2024
Though nudibranchs live in oceans all over the world, researchers say B. caudactylus is the first known to live in the deep water column.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024
First, its closest relatives by appearance — soft-bodied marine gastropods called nudibranchs — generally live in much shallower water.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2024
Monterey is famous for its kelp forests and the unique marine life that thrives in that ecosystem, like sea otters, spider crabs, nudibranchs, massive sea stars, and sea lions.
—Outside Online, 24 July 2024
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Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
Historically, the Hopkins Rose nudibranch has lived in Southern California — and ventured up to Johnson’s more northern tidepools mostly during El Niño years.
—Byrd Pinkerton, Vox, 1 Apr. 2025
Two nudibranch use their extended gonophors to mate, while simultaneously enjoying the delights of a good meal of green tendrils.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
The animal features a unique grab bag of traits of other nudibranchs, says study co-author and MBARI marine biologist Steven Haddock.
—Jude Coleman, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025
Or hop aboard a day dive charter to see the wonders of Anacapa, where Spanish shawl nudibranch and California sheephead move through towering kelp forests.
—Alexandra Gillespie, Outside Online, 16 Dec. 2024
Though nudibranchs live in oceans all over the world, researchers say B. caudactylus is the first known to live in the deep water column.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024
First, its closest relatives by appearance — soft-bodied marine gastropods called nudibranchs — generally live in much shallower water.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2024
Monterey is famous for its kelp forests and the unique marine life that thrives in that ecosystem, like sea otters, spider crabs, nudibranchs, massive sea stars, and sea lions.
—Outside Online, 24 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Nudibranch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nudibranch. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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