: 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
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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
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Unlike many insects that lie in wait and ambush their next meal, assassin bugs in the Reduviidae species actively hunt them down.—Lauren Liebhaber
september 8, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025 Many reports on insect decline focus on habitats altered by human activity.—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2025 Cardboard boxes, whether filled or not, should definitely be tossed, as these attract insects of all kinds.—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025 For entomology buffs, the nation of Colombia plays host to the largest number of butterfly species on the planet, with Jaguarundi Travel operating a dedicated tour that showcases a dazzling array of colorful insects.—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for insect
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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