praying mantis

noun

: mantis
especially : a European mantis (Mantis religiosa) that has been introduced into the U.S.

called also praying mantid

Examples of praying mantis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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In reality, Ishiguro spotted these regular-size praying mantises along a roadside in his Japanese hometown—albeit in a macabre embrace. Tracy Scott Forson, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2025 The praying mantises would stay immoble anywhere from a few seconds to more than five minutes, researchers said. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2025 Some are playful — toying with a butterfly or eying a praying mantis. Leah Asmelash, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025 As with the Pixar film, the bugs (and adjacent creatures) are the main characters here, from cockroaches, monarch butterflies, and praying mantises to bees, spiders, and even hermit crabs. Ars Technica, 14 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for praying mantis

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of praying mantis was circa 1890

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Cite this Entry

“Praying mantis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/praying%20mantis. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

praying mantis

noun
: mantis
especially : a European mantis that is now found in the U.S.

More from Merriam-Webster on praying mantis

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