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Definition of megapode
megapode
/ˈmɛɡ.əˌpoʊd/
meg · a · pode
Plural:megapodes
megapode Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
11
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
megapode Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
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WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A heavy-bodied, mostly ground-dwelling bird of the family Megapodiidae, native to Australasia and Southeast Asia, distinguished by its exceptionally large feet and its unique habit of incubating its eggs in large mounds of decaying vegetation or volcanically heated soil.
Example
"The male megapode works tirelessly to maintain the precise temperature of the incubation mound by adding or removing layers of rotting leaves."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for megapodeWord Origin & Etymology
Derived from Modern Latin 'Megapodius' (the genus name), from Ancient Greek 'megas' (large) and 'pous' or 'pod-' (foot), referring to the bird's strong, oversized feet used for digging nesting mounds.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Megapode. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/megapode