Caterpillar

UK: 'caterpillar', 'Caterpillar': /ˈkætəˌpɪlə/

US: /ˈkætəˌpɪlɚ, ˈkætɚ-/

US: (kat′ə pil′ər, kat′ər-)

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Caterpillar / ˈkætəˌpɪlə/ noun

1. an endless track, driven by sprockets or wheels, used to propel a heavy vehicle and enable it to cross soft or uneven ground
2. a vehicle, such as a tractor, tank, bulldozer, etc, driven by such tracks

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

cat•er•pil•lar /ˈkætəˌpɪlɚ, ˈkætɚ-/   n. [countable]

1. Insects a small wormlike animal with a long body separated in parts, several pairs of legs, and biting mouthparts, eventually becoming a butterfly or moth.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

cat•er•pil•lar¹  (kat′ə pil′ər, kat′ər-), n. 

1. Insects the wormlike larva of a butterfly or a moth.
2. a person who preys on others;
   extortioner.

• 1400–50; late Middle English catyrpel, probably alteration of an Old North French variant of Old French chatepelose, equivalent. to chate cat¹ + pelose hairy ( Latin pilōsus; see pilose); -yr probably by association with cater tomcat (see caterwaul); final -er probably by association with piller despoiler (see pillage, -er¹); compare chenille

Cat•er•pil•lar¹  (kat′ə pil′ər, kat′ər-), [Trademark.]

1. a tractor intended for rough terrain, propelled by two endless belts or tracks that pass over a number of wheels.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

caterpillar / ˈkætəˌpɪlə/ noun

1. the wormlike larva of butterflies and moths, having numerous pairs of legs and powerful biting jaws. It may be brightly coloured, hairy, or spiny

Etymology: 15th Century catyrpel, probably from Old Northern French catepelose, literally: hairy cat