Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

Sphecidae

plural noun
Save Word
Spheci·​dae | \ ˈsfēsəˌdē, -fes- \

Definition of Sphecidae

: a family of solitary wasps (superfamily Sphecoidea) having the first segment of the abdomen generally prolonged into a long smooth cylindrical petiole and including the mud daubers and some digger wasps

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for Sphecidae

New Latin, from Sphec-, Sphex, type genus + -idae

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Sphecidae

Statistics for Sphecidae

Cite this Entry

“Sphecidae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Sphecidae. Accessed 5 Aug. 2020.

Comments on Sphecidae

What made you want to look up Sphecidae? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

demure

Listen to the pronunciation of demure

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

July 2020 Words of the Day Quiz

  • papercraft sunset
  • Which is a synonym of mien?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games