cobweb

1 of 2

noun (1)

cob·​web ˈkäb-ˌweb 

1

a

: the network spread by a spider : spiderweb

b

: tangles of the silken threads of a spiderweb usually covered with accumulated dirt and dust

2

: something that entangles, obscures, or confuses

a cobweb of law and politics

cobwebbed

ˈkäb-ˌwebd 

adjective

cobweb bird

2 of 2

noun (2)

variants or less commonly cobweb

dialectal, England

: spotted flycatcher

Examples of cobweb in a Sentence

Noun (1)

Dirt and cobwebs filled the corners of the room.

The barn is filled with cobwebs.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Fit that is found in the body at rest, or the cobweb where the broom will not reach. — Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026

Your higher power can be an elephant or a cobweb in a corner. — Calvin Tomkins, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024

Also featured in the post is a photo of a decorative cobweb and spider. — Kaitlyn Schwanemann, NBC News, 1 Nov. 2024

Wu gok appear otherworldly, the result of the taro and wheat dough creating a cobweb-like structure when it’s fried. — Jenn Harriscolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English coppeweb, from coppe spider (from Old English ātorcoppe) + web; akin to Middle Dutch coppe spider

Noun (2)

so called from its use of cobwebs in its nest

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for cobweb

• deb
• ebb
• web

Kids Definition

cobweb

noun

cob·​web ˈkäb-ˌweb 

1

: spiderweb

2

: tangles of the silken threads of a spiderweb usually covered with dirt and dust

cobwebbed

-ˌwebd 

adjective

cobwebby

-ˌweb-ē

adjective