ladybug

noun

la·​dy·​bug ˈlā-dē-ˌbəg How to pronounce ladybug (audio)
: any of numerous small nearly hemispherical often brightly colored often spotted beetles (family Coccinellidae) of temperate and tropical regions that usually feed both as larvae and adults on other insects (such as aphids)

called also lady beetle, ladybird, ladybird beetle

Illustration of ladybug

Illustration of ladybug

Examples of ladybug in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
How to tell the difference between ladybugs and Asian lady beetles? Asian lady beetles are slightly larger than ladybugs. Jordan Green, The Tennessean, 25 Oct. 2024 Scientists found in a 2020 study in BMC Genomics that, after testing how ladybugs functioned when consuming aphids versus alternative prey, ladybugs didn’t fare as well when exclusively eating non-aphids. Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 7 Oct. 2024 What to know and how to get rid of these insects Both ladybugs and Asian beetles hibernate during winter and reappear in the spring, making fall a common time for infestations and mix-up of the two species. Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press, 31 Oct. 2024 Unlike distinctly red ladybugs, these beetles are more orange or black. Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ladybug 

Word History

Etymology

Our Lady, the Virgin Mary

First Known Use

1699, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ladybug was in 1699

Dictionary Entries Near ladybug

Cite this Entry

“Ladybug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ladybug. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

ladybug

noun
la·​dy·​bug -ˌbəg How to pronounce ladybug (audio)
: any of numerous small roundish-backed often brightly colored and spotted beetles that usually feed both when young and adult on other insects (as aphids)

More from Merriam-Webster on ladybug

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