1
a
: any of an order (Araneae synonym Araneida) of arachnids having a short, usually unsegmented abdomen linked to the cephalothorax by the pedicel, chelicerae modified into poison fangs, and two or more pairs of spinnerets at the posterior end of the abdomen for spinning threads of silk for various uses (as in making cocoons for their eggs or webs to catch prey)
Note: Spiders are further characterized by leglike pedipalps near the mouth, usually eight simple eyes, and book lungs or tracheae in the abdomen.
b
: any of various other arthropods and especially arachnids that resemble the true spiders
—not used technically
2
: a cast-iron frying pan originally made with short feet to stand among coals on the hearth
3
: any of various devices consisting of a frame or skeleton with radiating arms or members
Examples of spider in a Sentence
We watched the spider spin its web.
Recent Examples on the Web
Plus: Lawrence Wright on the bond between women on death row in Texas and an order of nuns, Kathryn Schulz on learning to love the spider, Burkhard Bilger on marching bands, Dhruv Khullar on interplanetary travel, Kelefa Sanneh on Mike White, and more.
—
The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
The pairs had to hold hands inside a glass box as spiders, maggots and cockroaches were placed inside in order to win safety.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
For instance, when the show’s writers wanted a tattoo in Episode 5 to exactly match the exotic spider on the loose and show the artist’s love for it, Wachtel spent a lot of time figuring out the exact alignment of roses, thorns, locks, and chains to throw around the spider design to convey that.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 5 Feb. 2025
From every angle, the cover is resistant to wind, rain, dust, dirt, snakes, rodents, spiders and other pests.
—Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for spider 
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The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
The pairs had to hold hands inside a glass box as spiders, maggots and cockroaches were placed inside in order to win safety.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
For instance, when the show’s writers wanted a tattoo in Episode 5 to exactly match the exotic spider on the loose and show the artist’s love for it, Wachtel spent a lot of time figuring out the exact alignment of roses, thorns, locks, and chains to throw around the spider design to convey that.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 5 Feb. 2025
From every angle, the cover is resistant to wind, rain, dust, dirt, snakes, rodents, spiders and other pests.
—Jan Wagner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for spider
Dictionary Entries Near spider
Cite this Entry
“Spider.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spider. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spider
noun
spi·der
ˈspīd-ər 
1
: any of an order of arachnids that have two or more pairs of abdominal organs for spinning threads of silk used in making cocoons for their eggs, nests for themselves, or webs for catching their prey
2
: a cast-iron frying pan
Medical Definition
spider
noun
spi·der
ˈspīd-ər
1
: any of an order (Araneae synonym Araneida) of arachnids having a body with two main divisions, four pairs of walking legs, and two or more pairs of abdominal spinnerets for spinning threads of silk used especially in making webs for catching prey
2
: spider nevus
an arterial spider
3
: an obstruction in the teat of a cow
especially
: a small irregular horny growth resulting from irritation or bruising
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