black-legged tick
noun
ˈblak-ˈlegd- 
-ˈlāgd-;
-ˈle-gəd-,
-ˈlā-
: either of two ixodid ticks:
a
b
: a tick (Ixodes pacificus) of the western U.S. and British Columbia that is the vector of several diseases (such as Lyme disease)
Examples of black-legged tick in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria carried by Ixodes scapularis, the black-legged tick, or deer tick.
—
Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 9 Apr. 2026
Stewart was a lead scientist on research published last year identifying a black-legged tick, or deer tick, in Montana.
—Rachana Pradhan, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
Even a stretch of sub-zero weather like one in late January and early February won’t harm the black-legged tick, the Lyme disease-carrying species that should be familiar to anyone who spends time outdoors in Rhode Island.
—Alex Kuffner, The Providence Journal, 14 Feb. 2026
The infection is spread by black-legged tick bites, or deer ticks, which are most common across the eastern U.S.
—Mary Eber, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for black-legged tick
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 9 Apr. 2026
Stewart was a lead scientist on research published last year identifying a black-legged tick, or deer tick, in Montana.
—Rachana Pradhan, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
Even a stretch of sub-zero weather like one in late January and early February won’t harm the black-legged tick, the Lyme disease-carrying species that should be familiar to anyone who spends time outdoors in Rhode Island.
—Alex Kuffner, The Providence Journal, 14 Feb. 2026
The infection is spread by black-legged tick bites, or deer ticks, which are most common across the eastern U.S.
—Mary Eber, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for black-legged tick
Cite this Entry
“Black-legged tick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black-legged%20tick. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
black-legged tick
nounLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
