insect

noun

in·​sect ˈin-ˌsekt 

1

a

: any of a class (Insecta) of arthropods (such as bugs or bees) with well-defined head, thorax, and abdomen, only three pairs of legs, and typically one or two pairs of wings

b

: any of numerous small invertebrate animals (such as spiders or centipedes) that are more or less obviously segmented

—not used technically

2

: a trivial or contemptible person

insect adjective

Illustration of insect

• 1 labial palpus
• 2 maxillary palpus
• 3 simple eye
• 4 antenna
• 5 compound eye
• 6 prothorax
• 7 tympanum
• 8 wing
• 9 ovipositor
• 10 spiracles
• 11 abdomen
• 12 metathorax
• 13 mesothorax

Did you know?

The bodies of insects have segments, or divisions, so they appear to have a series of notches cut into them. This led the Greek philosopher Aristotle to give insects the name entomon “a thing cut into.” Entomon comes from the prefix en- “in,” combined with the verb temnein “to cut.” Later, when the Romans wanted a word for this kind of creature, they did not simply borrow the Greek word. Instead they translated it with the Latin word insectum, from the verb insecare “to cut into.” Insectum was borrowed into English as insect.

Synonyms

• cipher
• dwarf
• half-pint
• insignificancy
• lightweight
• morsel
• nobody
• nonentity
• nothing
• nullity
• number
• pip-squeak
• pygmy
• pigmy
• shrimp
• snippersnapper
• twerp
• whippersnapper
• zero
• zilch

Examples of insect in a Sentence

a swarm of flying insects

the magazine's editor in chief was notorious for treating staffers as insects, often not even bothering to learn their names

Recent Examples on the Web

Experts Say These Will Be the Worst Pests in Your Region This Year How to Spot Asian Needle Ants The Asian needle ant is a venomous insect, and it's made a home in the U.S. since as far back as 1932. —Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 May 2025

Something about the hiding place caught the attention of nearby scientists searching for insects. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025

This will ensure a consistent nectar or pollen source for visiting insects. —Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025

The real-life Cordyceps, however, only infects insects such as ants, beetles, butterflies, moths and spiders — the rest of the plot is science fiction. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 6 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin insectum, from neuter of insectus, past participle of insecare to cut into, from in- + secare to cut — more at saw

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing insect

• cochineal insect
• scale insect
• social insect
• spittle insect
• stick insect

Rhymes for insect

• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct
• dissect
• effect

Kids Definition

insect

noun

in·​sect ˈin-ˌsekt 

1

: any of numerous small invertebrate animals (as spiders or centipedes) that are more or less obviously made up of segments

—not used technically

2

: any of a class of arthropods (as butterflies, true bugs, two-winged flies, bees, and grasshoppers) with the body clearly divided into a head, thorax, and abdomen, with three pairs of jointed legs, and usually with one or two pairs of wings

Etymology

from Latin insectum "insect," derived from insecare "to cut into," from in- "in" and secare "to cut" — related to dissect, section

Word Origin

The bodies of insects have segments, or divisions. Thus they seem to have a series of notches cut into them. This appearance led the Greek philosopher Aristotle to give insects the name entomon "a thing cut into." Entomon comes from the prefix en- "in," combined with the verb temnein "to cut." Later, when the Romans wanted a word for this kind of creature, they did not simply borrow the Greek word. Instead they translated it into the Latin word insectum, from the verb insecare "to cut into." Insectum was borrowed into English as insect.

Medical Definition

insect

noun

in·​sect ˈin-ˌsekt 

: any arthropod of the class Insecta

insect adjective