1. any member of the phylum Porifera; a sponge
Usage: biology; zoology

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the phylum Porifera
Usage: biology; zoology

Examples

• A poriferan is a simple aquatic animal with a porous body structure.
• Sponges are the most common poriferans found in ocean ecosystems.
• The poriferan body plan includes specialized cells for filter feeding.
• Scientists classify all sponges as members of the poriferan phylum.
• Poriferan organisms have existed in Earth's oceans for over 600 million years.
• The poriferan skeleton is often composed of silica or calcium carbonate.