black widow

noun

: a venomous New World spider (Latrodectus mactans of the family Theridiidae) the female of which is black with an hourglass-shaped red mark on the underside of the abdomen

broadly : any of various related venomous spiders that have a large globular, usually glossy, dark abdomen often marked with red and long and wiry legs

Illustration of black widow

Examples of black widow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are two types of venomous spiders found in the United States — the black widow and the brown recluse. —Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025

Though the black widow spider was disposed of soon after by her husband, the experience has left Rodman a little shaken. —Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Aug. 2025

This includes brown and black widows and brown recluse. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 14 June 2025

Known as one of the most venomous spiders in North America, the infamous black widow spider is usually found in dark secluded spaces like basements, garages and barns. —Gabrielle Chenault, Nashville Tennessean, 13 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for black widow

• kiddo

Kids Definition

black widow

noun

: a poisonous New World spider the female of which is black with an hourglass-shaped red mark on the underside of the abdomen

Medical Definition

black widow

noun

black wid·​ow -ˈwid-ˌō 

: a venomous New World spider of the genus Latrodectus (L. mactans) the female of which is black with an hourglass-shaped red mark on the underside of the abdomen

broadly : any other spider of the genus Latrodectus