Illustration of scorpion
- scorpion 1a
scorpion
noun
scor·pi·on
ˈskȯr-pē-ən 
1
a
: any of an order (Scorpionida) of nocturnal arachnids that have an elongated body and a narrow segmented tail bearing a venomous stinger at the tip
b
capitalized
: scorpio
2
: a scourge probably studded with metal
3
: something that incites to action like the sting of an insect
the scorpions of absolute necessity—
Arnold Bennett
Arnold Bennett
Examples of scorpion in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But under further inspection, the researchers noticed that the critter was missing the identifiable stinger that delivers a scorpion’s venom.
—Irene Wright, Sacramento Bee, 3 Apr. 2024
The animal kingdom has no shortage of dance moves, from flamingoes’ synchronized sashays to the waltzes of scorpions.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Mar. 2024
Although only about 50 of the 2,750 total scorpion species are capable of inflicting stings considered to be extremely dangerous to humans, scorpion stings contribute to over 3,000 human deaths annually.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Among these are black widow spiders; the formidable Arizona bark scorpion, known for its venomous sting; and the strikingly colored mustard yellow paper wasps, recognized for their distinctive nests and painful stings.
—The Arizona Republic, 14 Feb. 2024
Estimates say that more than 500 different types of plants call the Sahara home, as do more than 250 different species of birds, mammals, reptiles, plus scorpions, spiders, and other tiny critters beyond counting.
—Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 5 Feb. 2024
Why does a gamer slay that giant, radioactive scorpion?
—Ian Walker |, Popular Science, 27 Mar. 2024
The eye-catching cake was shaped like a heart, had blue and white frosting and the word Scorpio was written alongside a blue scorpion.
—Emma Kershaw, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024
See it Kaeng Krachan scorpions were found under rocks at a campsite, researchers said.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024
Irene Wright, Sacramento Bee, 3 Apr. 2024
The animal kingdom has no shortage of dance moves, from flamingoes’ synchronized sashays to the waltzes of scorpions.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Mar. 2024
Although only about 50 of the 2,750 total scorpion species are capable of inflicting stings considered to be extremely dangerous to humans, scorpion stings contribute to over 3,000 human deaths annually.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Among these are black widow spiders; the formidable Arizona bark scorpion, known for its venomous sting; and the strikingly colored mustard yellow paper wasps, recognized for their distinctive nests and painful stings.
—The Arizona Republic, 14 Feb. 2024
Estimates say that more than 500 different types of plants call the Sahara home, as do more than 250 different species of birds, mammals, reptiles, plus scorpions, spiders, and other tiny critters beyond counting.
—Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 5 Feb. 2024
Why does a gamer slay that giant, radioactive scorpion?
—Ian Walker |, Popular Science, 27 Mar. 2024
The eye-catching cake was shaped like a heart, had blue and white frosting and the word Scorpio was written alongside a blue scorpion.
—Emma Kershaw, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024
See it Kaeng Krachan scorpions were found under rocks at a campsite, researchers said.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scorpion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near scorpion
Cite this Entry
“Scorpion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scorpion. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scorpion
noun
scor·pi·on
ˈskȯr-pē-ən
: any of an order of invertebrates that are arachnids and that have a long jointed body and a slender tail with a poisonous stinger at the end
Medical Definition
scorpion
noun
scor·pi·on
ˈskȯr-pē-ən
: any of an order (Scorpionida) of arachnids that have an elongated body and a narrow segmented tail bearing a venomous stinger at the tip
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share