cobweb

noun

cob·​web ˈkäb-ˌweb 

1

a

: the network spread by a spider : spiderweb

b

: tangles of the silken threads of a spiderweb usually covered with accumulated dirt and dust

2

: something that entangles, obscures, or confuses

a cobweb of law and politics

cobwebbed

ˈkäb-ˌwebd 

adjective

Examples of cobweb in a Sentence

Dirt and cobwebs filled the corners of the room.

The barn is filled with cobwebs.

Recent Examples on the Web

Also featured in the post is a photo of a decorative cobweb and spider. —Kaitlyn Schwanemann, NBC News, 1 Nov. 2024

The only snow that stuck on my property was on a cobweb, but the spider probably considers that his property. —A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 25 Feb. 2023

Wu gok appear otherworldly, the result of the taro and wheat dough creating a cobweb-like structure when it’s fried. —Jenn Harriscolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2022

Other people would send in their pictures of animals, food, art, flowers — anything that one considers beautiful to share with the world, including sunrises and a seed in a cobweb in Holland. —Darcel Rockett, chicagotribune.com, 5 Aug. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Middle English coppeweb, from coppe spider (from Old English ātorcoppe) + web; akin to Middle Dutch coppe spider

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

cobweb

noun

cob·​web ˈkäb-ˌweb 

1

: spiderweb

2

: tangles of the silken threads of a spiderweb usually covered with dirt and dust

cobwebbed

-ˌwebd 

adjective

cobwebby

-ˌweb-ē

adjective