spider

noun

spi·​der ˈspī-dər How to pronounce spider (audio)
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: a cast-iron frying pan originally made with short feet to stand among coals on the hearth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
spiderish adjective
spiderlike adjective

Examples of spider in a Sentence

We watched the spider spin its web.
Recent Examples on the Web Some spiders and cockroaches, too, produce milk for their many-legged young. Popular Science, 7 Mar. 2024 Twenty-six spiders of different species also were taken from the home to a nearby animal shelter. Mead Gruver, The Arizona Republic, 21 Feb. 2024 Sea spiders often have eight legs and resemble arachnids, but sea spiders are not actual spiders. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2024 Their predators — birds, spiders and snakes, to name a few — eat them, but when so many cicadas hatch at once, their predators can’t possibly eat them all. Keely Brewer, The Daily Memphian, and Brittney J. Miller, Cedar Rapids Gazette, Journal Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2024 Paul Dano is perhaps an inspired, if more obvious casting, to voice the extraterrestrial spider Hanuš. Alex Ritman, Variety, 19 Feb. 2024 In 2019, a fossil believed to be a new spider species was discovered to be a crayfish. Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024 The jackets and flannels include anarchy symbols, spider webs and skulls. Charlie Vargas, Orange County Register, 15 Feb. 2024 Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O’Connor, and Isabela Merced star in Sony’s latest superhero flick, playing a trio of teenagers who are destined to develop spider powers of their own. Devan Coggan, EW.com, 14 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spider.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English spyder, alteration of spithre; akin to Old English spinnan to spin

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of spider was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near spider

Cite this Entry

“Spider.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spider. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

spider

noun
spi·​der ˈspīd-ər How to pronounce spider (audio)
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 How to pronounce spider (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on spider

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!