What does mola mean?
A mola is a member of a small genus of extraordinarily large ocean sunfishes, of which the best-known is the ocean sunfish, Mola mola. The fish has a rounded, laterally compressed body, a short truncated tail, and tall dorsal and anal fins that can rise above and below the water. Its distinctive silhouette gave the group its name: the genus name derives from a word meaning “millstone.” Mola are found in temperate and tropical oceans and are most often encountered individually, although they may gather around places where food is abundant. Although a mola is often described as a giant fish, it is more precisely a heavy, slow-moving species that feeds largely on gelatinous organisms and small marine life. In general English, “ocean sunfish” is far more common than “mola,” but zoologists use the latter for members of the genus Mola and distinguish the ocean sunfish as Mola mola.
nounA large, deep-bodied fish of the genus Mola, especially the ocean sunfish, Mola mola. Mola have flattened, rounded bodies and are noted for their unusual shape and great size.
- A fish belonging to the genus Mola, particularly the ocean sunfish, Mola mola.
"Divers filmed a huge mola gliding beneath the calm surface of the bay."
"A mola surfaced beside the research vessel in the warm Atlantic water."
"The museum display explains how a mola uses its tall dorsal and anal fins to remain upright in the open ocean."
The standard plural is molas.
"Several large molas visited the coastal waters during the expedition."
A mola was named for a millstone because its massive, flattened body resembles the round stone used for grinding grain.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mola come from?
The English word was borrowed from Spanish mola, meaning “sunfish,” from Latin mola, “millstone.” The reference to a millstone reflects the fish’s broad, rounded and flattened body, which was also an inspiration for the scientific genus name Mola. Latin molus, a related form, also contributed to the cognates molar, mole, and moles.
How mola is actually used
The term is chiefly zoological and is uncommon in everyday English; ocean sunfish is a more familiar name for Mola mola. As a genus name, Mola is capitalized and conventionally italicized.
Easily confused with mola
A mola is a large ocean sunfish, whereas a mole is a small burrowing mammal or, in chemistry, the SI unit for an amount of substance.