sow bug

noun

: wood louse
especially : a wood louse capable of curling itself into a ball

Examples of sow bug in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Like many tailwaters, spring creeks hold bug-sized crustaceans like scuds and sow bugs, essentially freshwater shrimp that are easily imitated with simple patterns on a natural drift. Morgan Lyle, Field & Stream, 13 July 2023 These include ants, fleas, crickets, spiders, earwigs, millipedes, silverfish, mites, palmetto bugs, and sow bugs. Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1750, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sow bug was in 1750

Dictionary Entries Near sow bug

Cite this Entry

“Sow bug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sow%20bug. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

sow bug

noun
: wood louse
especially : a wood louse capable of curling itself into a ball

More from Merriam-Webster on sow bug

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