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: a cast-iron frying pan originally made with short feet to stand among coals on the hearth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
Unsurprisingly, Tyla brought her A-game—and all eyes were on her spider web dress.
—
Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 31 Mar. 2025
Zinnias have few insect pests but may be affected by spider mites, aphids and whiteflies.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2025
Besides plants and flowers, a dinosaur tail, a crab, a hell ant, a spider mom and her young, and a firefly have been found entombed in globs of tree resin.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2025
While the youngest member of the Stern family (Brock, 2) couldn’t be there to safely volunteer to remove errant spider webs and dust bunnies, the four did their part to jumpstart a several-day spring cleaning paint project.
—Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spider
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Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 31 Mar. 2025
Zinnias have few insect pests but may be affected by spider mites, aphids and whiteflies.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2025
Besides plants and flowers, a dinosaur tail, a crab, a hell ant, a spider mom and her young, and a firefly have been found entombed in globs of tree resin.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2025
While the youngest member of the Stern family (Brock, 2) couldn’t be there to safely volunteer to remove errant spider webs and dust bunnies, the four did their part to jumpstart a several-day spring cleaning paint project.
—Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spider
Cite this Entry
“Spider.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spider. Accessed 4 Apr. 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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