Ciliate is a term used to describe a type of protozoan characterized by the presence of cilia. These tiny hair-like structures are used for movement, feeding, and sensory functions. Synonyms for ciliate include ciliated protozoan, ciliophoran, ciliata, flagellate, and flagellated protozoan. These terms are used to describe organisms that use flagella to move, but are similar to ciliates in terms of structure and function. Some ciliates are symbiotic, meaning they have a mutually beneficial relationship with other organisms. Despite their small size, ciliates play an important role in aquatic ecosystems and are fascinating to study in their own right.