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

Jenny Read used to study praying mantis vision at Newcastle University—one time fitting tiny 3D glasses to the insects to figure out how their vision differed from our own—and whether understanding insect vision could lead us toward more efficient ways of building robotic vision. —Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 2 Oct. 2024

The bees, the beetles, even the cute praying mantis that when hatching looks like the coming of the zombie apocalypse and that bites off the heads of their mates ... —Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 20 Sep. 2024

And without missing a beat, didn’t Marlo reach down and pick up this praying mantis and carry it with her across to the other side of the street and put it on the lawn? —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2024

Inside are cases displaying dramatic pieces shaped like tropical frogs, snakes, and insects, plus an extensive collection of evil eye jewelry, oversized pharaoh cuffs, and maximalist earrings in praying mantis, jellyfish, and shell designs. —Sevil Delin, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

praying mantis

noun

: mantis

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