SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus

Tenebrionidae

plural noun
Save Word
Te·​neb·​ri·​on·​i·​dae

Definition of Tenebrionidae

: a large family of heteromerous firm-bodied mostly dark-colored vegetable-feeding beetles especially characteristic of arid regions and often with the hind wings vestigial and functionless and with larvae that are usually hard cylindrical worms — see darkling beetle, mealworm

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 Tenebrionidae

New Latin, from Tenebrion-, Tenebrio, type genus (from Latin, one who shuns light, from tenebrae darkness) + -idae

Learn More About Tenebrionidae

Dictionary Entries Near Tenebrionidae

tenebrionid

Tenebrionidae

tenebrious

See More Nearby Entries 

Statistics for Tenebrionidae

Cite this Entry

“Tenebrionidae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Tenebrionidae. Accessed 8 Aug. 2022.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

WORD OF THE DAY

crepuscular

Listen to the pronunciation of crepuscular

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Words Named After People

  • name tags
  • Namesake of the leotard, Jules Léotard had what profession?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

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