: any of a class (Insecta) of arthropods (such as bugs or bees) with well-defined head, thorax, and abdomen, only three pairs of legs, and typically one or two pairs of wings
b
: any of numerous small invertebrate animals (such as spiders or centipedes) that are more or less obviously segmented—not used technically
2
: a trivial or contemptible person
insectadjective
Illustration of insect
1 labial palpus
2 maxillary palpus
3 simple eye
4 antenna
5 compound eye
6 prothorax
7 tympanum
8 wing
9 ovipositor
10 spiracles
11 abdomen
12 metathorax
13 mesothorax
Did you know?
The bodies of insects have segments, or divisions, so they appear to have a series of notches cut into them. This led the Greek philosopher Aristotle to give insects the name entomon “a thing cut into.” Entomon comes from the prefix en- “in,” combined with the verb temnein “to cut.” Later, when the Romans wanted a word for this kind of creature, they did not simply borrow the Greek word. Instead they translated it with the Latin word insectum, from the verb insecare “to cut into.” Insectum was borrowed into English as insect.
a swarm of flying insects
the magazine's editor in chief was notorious for treating staffers as insects, often not even bothering to learn their names
Recent Examples on the WebFor example, birds help to eat insects such as mosquitos and spread seeds for trees and other plants to grow.—Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 15 July 2024 Sandy Koi, a post-doctorate scientist from Florida International University who studied insect ecology and conservation and is also called the guru of the atala, said with the demise of coontie in the wild, gardens and yards now make up about 50 percent of their food source.—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 13 July 2024 The city-state in Southeast Asia recently approved 16 types of insects as food.—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 July 2024 These provide habitat and a food source for insects and critters that otherwise might not thrive in a traditional monoculture system.—David Rosoff, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for insect
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'insect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Latin insectum, from neuter of insectus, past participle of insecare to cut into, from in- + secare to cut — more at saw
: any of numerous small invertebrate animals (as spiders or centipedes) that are more or less obviously made up of segments—not used technically
2
: any of a class of arthropods (as butterflies, true bugs, two-winged flies, bees, and grasshoppers) with the body clearly divided into a head, thorax, and abdomen, with three pairs of jointed legs, and usually with one or two pairs of wings
Etymology
from Latin insectum "insect," derived from insecare "to cut into," from in- "in" and secare "to cut" — related to dissect, section
Word Origin
The bodies of insects have segments, or divisions. Thus they seem to have a series of notches cut into them. This appearance led the Greek philosopher Aristotle to give insects the name entomon "a thing cut into." Entomon comes from the prefix en- "in," combined with the verb temnein "to cut." Later, when the Romans wanted a word for this kind of creature, they did not simply borrow the Greek word. Instead they translated it into the Latin word insectum, from the verb insecare "to cut into." Insectum was borrowed into English as insect.
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