The lophophore (/ ˈlɒfəˌfɔːr, ˈloʊfə -/) is a characteristic feeding organ possessed by four major groups of animals: the Brachiopoda, Bryozoa, Hyolitha, and Phoronida, which collectively constitute the protostome group Lophophorata. All lophophores are found in aquatic organisms.

Lophophorate, any of three phyla of aquatic invertebrate animals that possess a lophophore, a fan of ciliated tentacles around the mouth. Movements of the cilia create currents of water that carry food particles toward the mouth.

Lophophorates are a group of marine invertebrates characterized by the presence of a specialized feeding structure called a lophophore.

Simply put, a lophophorate is any organism that bears a lophophore. This is a pair of spiral feeding structures that form a crown on the head superficially similar to the feeding tentacles of feather-duster worms.

Lophophorata: This group includes the Phoronida and Entoprocta (both small groups) as well as the Bryozoa ("moss" animals) and Brachiopoda (brachiopods), both of which have an extensive fossil record. The feature shared by this group is the lophophore, an unusual feeding appendage bearing hollow tentacles.